Some merchants say a $2 tax increase per case could mean $10 more in the store.

True, merchants say business has picked up a bit in recent weeks.

The merchants say they must charge higher prices as a result.

But merchants here say it will be months before life and business are back to normal.

Some merchants say they are just responding to a need.

"There is nothing you can do for me," the merchant said in a heavy voice.

And merchants said they were losing business at a critical time.

But these days, city officials and local merchants say, that image is changing.

The merchants, however, say they want to serve customers who often speak very little English and make up about 30 percent of the city's population.

Most merchants say they do not want to open on Sundays.