Many are enjoying the steady income their employers and customers have allowed them to maintain, while others find themselves strained by the economic dysentery that is causing businesses to raise the prices and lay people off.

Although the economy is not in the best of shape, smaller businesses thrive and yield profits, while larger corporations cut prices to fend off the recession’s wrath.

With the price of milk going up 10 percent, flower up 13 percent and eggs up 30 percent, many restaurants find price hikes necessary to appease the cost of food.

Elaine Gollner, a waitress at Lomeli’s Itlalian Restaurant in Gardena, has worked there for 11 years and sees no harm done to her paystub or to the establishment.

“We are still very busy. Our business has not been affected because our prices are very reasonable,” Gollner said. “We have regular customers and receive new customers every day. I am very fortunate.”

Even though eating out is not a necessity, it thrives because for some, eating out is a luxury worth paying a few extra dollars for.

Specialty stores like Barbeques Galore, merchants who sell items some in society can do without, are suffering from the decline in their target clientele.

“Barbecues are not a necessity, it’s more of an extra-curricular thing,” Patrick Leftridge, Barbeques Galore employee of three years, said. “They (BBQs Galore) used to pay us commission, and now they save millions paying us hourly.”

In light of the grim circumstances the economy has brought about, individuals tread ever forward, pockets full and smiles a’plenty.