Brightly colored fabrics are stacked inside Juanito's El Conquistador Fabric Store in downtown Brownsville.

The business has been open for 32 years on Washington Street and is now struggling to survive due to a declining economy and the dying art of making clothes at home.

Juanito Kenigstein, owner of the fabric store, remains optimistic for 2009.

Kenigstein recently opened his second store on Adams Street with the idea of liquidating items. But sales still have been slow the past few months, he said.

Nonetheless, the owner remains determined to see his businesses succeed.