As North Texans tighten their wallets, small business owners say the slowdown is a warning sign for the economy.

In a consumer-driven economy, the evidence is mounting that consumers are worried — and that's not a good sign. Call it the economic equivalent of a "canary in the mine."

"When the economy is like it is and what's going on with the government , people stop spending because they're worried and they're scared," warns Aimee Hughes.

Hughes owns several retail stores, including Bella & Braun in Bishop Arts.

"And so, what does that mean? If they stop spending, that means we have less income coming in," she said. "I have to start looking at the schedule and start cutting people down."

Other retailers, too, are seeing a shift.

"I think it's more than just the government shutdown

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