News 12 @ 6 o'clock -- January 14, 2009

AIKEN, S.C. --- The signs say it all, free parking in Aiken. Well at least that's what some downtown business owners want now that a two hour parking limit is back.

"For one, it's totally unnecessary. We have plenty of parking spaces. If you look around downtown, it's easy to find a parking space," said Mike Enloe, owner of Plum Pudding.

Enloe started a Facebook group against the 2 hour limit put in place three years ago. They've gotten more than 100 supporters in just one day and they're hoping the city takes notice. "If it affects one percent of the shoppers who come downtown, that's a reason to lift it," said Enloe.

During the holiday season a lot of businesses closed up shop, so the city gave owners and shoppers a break from the time limit. But Enloe say that's not good enough. "They lifted the parking to help businesses in December, well it's not December that's the problem. We see the problem the other 11 months of the year and that's when we need help, all year long," said Enloe.

But business owner Ron Brenneman sees the other side of the issue. "It really has helped. We've had very few complaints over the time it's been enacted and it worked great for us," said Ron Brenneman, owner of Birds and Butterflies.

He says studies show before the time limit, most spaces were used by employees, leaving none for shoppers.

"I don't think it's an issue. I don't think the two hour parking has created any problems. I think it's solved some problems and as far as I'm concerned, we can just leave it like it is," said Brenneman.

And as business owners prepare to make their plea, they say it all boils down to a single issue. "We need people to feel welcome and not worry while they're shopping that they're getting a ticket," said Enloe.