"It's the hardest job I've ever had," said the first-time business owner, who previously worked in the wine industry, as well as sales and marketing.

Kennedy said she would welcome any help bringing people to the core and is encouraged by the city's move to study designating the downtown as a tourism area, allowing stores to open on statutory holidays.

"Anything to increase traffic would be very helpful," she said.

On Monday, council approved a report detailing the process for having the downtown designated as a tourism area. Discussions on the designation, which would allow stores to open on the 10 provincial statutory holidays, have been ongoing between the city's economic development department, the chamber and downtown business improvement association. Coun. Mark Elliott, who asked for the report, said while the downtown has a way to go before realizing its potential as a tourism area, it makes sense to take this step now, to have it in place, so businesses are able to serve tourists when they do come.

"I think it's a really important initiative for the downtown," he said.

Under the Retail Business Holidays Act, a tourism exemption can be granted for areas located within two kilometres of a tourist attraction, and has at least 25 per cent of retailers that would mainly serve tourists on holidays.

Elliott said even if the exemption were granted, it would be up to individual businesses to decide whether to open.

"It may mean they become more tourism orientated," he said.

Walter Sendzik, general manager of the St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce, which plans to be the applicant for the designation, said it forms part of the overall revitalization effort for the downtown, which includes two-way traffic, a performing arts centre and bringing the wine route down St. Paul Street.

"It's just another piece of the puzzle," he said.

Ideally, it would be good to have it in place prior to the other elements, he said.

"The sooner we get the designation, the easier it will be to develop the plans," he said.

Tisha Polocko, general manager for the Downtown Association, said her organization may also file an application, but would like to get a sense of what the membership thinks.However, she can't see why a business, even if it doesn't want to open, would object to having the option.

The decision to grant the exception lies with the regional government. Already in Niagara, Jordan and Niagara-on-the-Lake have received tourism area designations.