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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Empty storefronts are turning into a new lease on life for the downtown Colorado Springs core.

"The fires have been difficult on everyone, I think business-wise and obviously emotionally. Personally though, business has been good. We're pleased with what we've seen so far," Molly Martyn, co-owner of Venice Olive Oil Company, said.

The Venice Olive Oil Company moved into their 109 N. Tejon St. location nearly six weeks ago and are part of the new boost in business.

Martyn chose the downtown area over Old Colorado City because of the strong number of owner-operated businesses.

"I think we're at a turning point to the upside. I think there's a real positive vibe and feeling going on," Sam Eppley, owner of Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware, said.

While stores like Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware have seen the economy and the downtown vacancies level out, the numbers say otherwise.

According to Sierra Commercial Real Estate, the downtown retail vacancy rate is 19.6 percent, up seven percent from this time last year.

Part of the reason for the uptick is because the data represents available retail space from Cascade Avenue to Nevada Avenue, Cimarron Street all the way to Cache La Poudre Street.

So, when large scale businesses move out, like Bryan & Scott Jewelers, which was over 10,000 square feet, it takes about five small-scale mom and pop stores to prevent an increase in the vacancy rate.

"I think what you see with vacancies is a natural thing, and there's a tendency to stress when you see them but a mall or strip search just covers them up."