With spring and good weather, tourists will return to Fort 91原创 鈥� at least, that鈥檚 the hope of local business owners.

Jasmine Marjanovic, owner of Cranberries Naturally, noted that business in early spring was not as good as it could have been. She said the weather more than likely had something to do with it.

To brighten up the Fort this year, Marjanovic has added a display of love balls to the front of her store. Created by her friend Wendy Watt, the balls are a kind of art that range widely in size and spread a simple message.

鈥淲hen people come in, they see the word love, they just feel happier,鈥� said Marjanovic.

She鈥檚 hoping that later this year she can host a get-together near her shop in Gasoline Alley, with a band and a relaxed community atmosphere.

Trish Scott of The Core Store has carved out a niche supplying sustainable clothing and high-end comfortable footwear.

A longtime Fort resident, she said there have been challenges of late, but some winters used to be worse.

鈥淲e used to die in the winter,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淵ou could pretty much roll up the sidewalks.鈥�

The new restaurants in town are helping, bringing in people year-round, Scott said.

She noted that things are getting back up and running, and the reason people like the Fort remains.

鈥淧eople like the little eclectic shops,鈥� she said.

People come down with a friend for a coffee, then poke through the local shops.

Issues remain, including a lack of parking, sometimes exacerbated by film crews on the streets, she said.

Leah Chevallier of Chuckling Duckling Farm is concerned about the boarded up buildings along Glover Road.

鈥淚 do think it鈥檚 hurting business, I think it鈥檚 discouraging people from coming out,鈥� she said.

The Chuckling Duckling makes and sells natural soaps and bath bombs.

Chevallier is relying on local support and expanding the store鈥檚 offerings.

鈥淲e鈥檝e really diversified our classes to get more people coming in,鈥� said Chevallier.

They鈥檙e also talking to neighbouring businesses about teaming up for some special events.

And with better weather, she鈥檚 hoping the tourist traffic will pick up again.