RALEIGH, N.C. -- The stock market is down, businesses are closing, houses are not selling, but if one were to talk to businesses in downtown Raleigh, one might not know there was a problem.

 

 

"We've pretty much noticed an increase in sales," said Raleigh Times Assistant Manager Chris Powers.

 

And to make things even better, downtown festivals add another busy time to their schedule.

 

Downtown Raleigh bustled with people on Saturday at the 29th Annual Artsplosure. The festival fills Moore Square with arts, food and entertainment.

 

"Business has been great, we've been lucky with so much stuff going on downtown. Saturday's have been killer for us, comparable to a Thursday night, during the day on a Saturday," said Powers.

 

Restaurant workers are attributing some of their good fortune to foot traffic.

 

"We've definitely had a lot more business because of a lot more people moving to downtown," said Colin Couch, a bartender at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub

 

Even at the Artsplousure, vendors saw long lines something, they're not seeing everywhere.

 

"It depends on the upon the area we're in, you just never know from week to week what it's going to be like," said food vendor Glenda Leib.

 

Even though soon you might have to take a loan out to get a tank of gas soon, some people aren't dwelling on the future.

 

"I may regret it towards the end of the year but yeah, we're still pretty much living the way we have," said Maria Brown, a festival-goer from Clayton.

 

Others notice, but aren't making many changes.

 

"We travel a little less, but it's not limiting me too much," said Heather Shipley

 

Artsplosure continues tomorrow in Moore Square.