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MISSOULA - The former Macy's building still sits empty and its future is still unknown almost a year after the iconic piece of history closed its doors.

Some business owners in Downtown Missoula say that even though they're seeing less people downtown due to Macy's closure, their business is not being negatively affected.

Some downtown businesses report that their sales are up this year and retailers who have been doing business in the downtown area for more than three decades say they've see many changes.

"There's always been change downtown. I've been at this a long time and so we've seen businesses come and go. Seeing something like Macy's is significant is some respects, but the opportunity that it's created for other people to fill in that gap has been really good," Trail Head Owner Todd Frank says.

Some other downtown retailers feel Macy's closure either didn't impact them at all or it actually helped their business.

"After Macy's closed in April we saw a significant increase in business, initially. I think you can attribute that to a lot of Missoulians wanting to shop local," says Shawn Sproull, Hide and Sole Sales Manager.

"Sure we're all in the downtown area, but the Hip Strip is like kind of its own little village over here, and Macy's being there or Macy's gone really hasn't affected [us] at all. I mean some of our good basic stuff I feel like it's doing better because when people are down here and they need something, where before they would have gone there, they're coming here," commented Betty;s Divine owner Aimee McQuilkin.

"With Macy's closed, parking is a little bit better than it has been downtown. I mean obviously there are lots of folks who park around their store," Frank told us.

The business owners we talked with also believe Missoulians are starting to see the affects of stores closing in the downtown area and that most customers don't want to see that.

"It's motivating them to support local a lot more because I don't think people want to see empty storefronts, they want to see a vibrant downtown," Joanna Smetanka, Blackbird Kid Shop Co-owner, commented.

Even though some downtown businesses are seeing less foot traffic by their store fronts, they say the people who come into their stores usually intend to buy.

"This year has been awesome. Definitely we're seeing increases from last year and so my outlook for the holidays is good," McQuilkin said.

"Last year we weren't sure how December would be and it was one of our best months ever," Sproull added.

"It has been picking up since last year, it's been a lot better actually. It's feeling hopeful, people are already starting to come in for Christmas shopping and last year it seemed like people were putting it off till right up until Christmas, where as this year I'm seeing a lot more people coming in already." Smetanka said.

The downtown businesses we spoke to say they don't usually have huge deals on Black Friday but some of the businesses are offering up some holiday specials.