Despite a countrywide economic crisis, many Mid-Yakima Valley businesses seem to be unaffected by the national trends. A recent survey of businesses in several area communities confirmed this.
“I am very encouraged about business at this time, you will not find any bad news here,” Dan Johnson, owner of Kraff’s in Toppenish said. 
Johnson has owned Kraff’s, a clothing store located in downtown Toppenish, for 40 years and said his business is fortunate to not have been affected by the downturn of the national economy. 
Patti Castilleja, owner of The Stonehenge, a tavern in Zillah, has also seen no decrease in business. Although her suppliers on the other hand, have increased their costs to her.
“Our business is all about allowing people to have a good time, and I think people still want to do that,” she said. “Perhaps now more than ever.”
Sandra Estrada, owner of Roberto’s Salon in Toppenish also reports of no decrease in business since the recession began in 2007. 
“I think it’s because of our agricultural base, we don’t have big factories and people will always need to eat,” Estrada said.  
Forbes.com reports the Yakima Valley to be among the nations largest expected increases in employment growth for Spring 2009, due to our large agriculturally based economy. Good news considering the county’s unemployment rate recently reached double digits.
In agreement with most business owners, John Hill of the Zillah Food Center said that they had not seen any extreme changes. He agreed that the local economy’s stability is due to our agriculture community and that “most businesses around here aren’t laying a bunch of people off.”
Hill, among others, is not feeling the effects of the economy but is keeping a close eye on business.
“Things can change quickly, but we feel pretty good about the local state of things,” he said.