OTTUMWA — The overall U.S. economy may be moving at a snail’s pace, but some Ottumwa businesses and residents say they have yet to feel the recession pinch.

“Our profits are actually up from last year,” said Ottumwa Pro Tan Tanning Salon Manger Dana Blunt. “I think people pick what they want to spend their extra money on.”

She has, however, noticed a fluctuation in product sales.

“I think a lot of people have found a brand of lotion they like and then they order it online for cheaper and I can’t compete with that,” she said.

Other stores have seen changes, but not necessarily a decrease in sales.

Judy Rhynas of Rhynas Jewelers in Ottumwa said chain sales have dropped slightly with the increase in gold prices.

“We have been selling more sterling silver,” she said.

“The price of gold and platinum has come to the point where we have to call into our suppliers when we have an order for them.”

Rhynas said their customers are also aware that the jewelry retailer is unique.

“We are different in the aspect that we make a lot of custom pieces,” she said. “Not many people around here do that.”

“We try and order in what the client asks for and what is in demand at the time. We pretty much make every piece we have in the store. We set all the diamonds here.”

Ottumwa Goodwill Industries Manager Betty White said sales this year have been steady compared to last year’s sales.

“The middle of last year is when we really saw a slump,” she said. “The last couple months have been pretty stable.”

White said she knows when other retailers raise their prices because they tend to see an increase in the number of shoppers buying at their store.

“People buy more clothes here than anything else,” she said. “You can get about three or four shirts for the same price of one at a retail store.”