Even though retail and restaurant profits are down, the number of tourists who flock to Tombstone hasn't decreased over the past year as a result of the recession, according to Robert Carreira, the Center for Economic Research Director at Cochise College.

Revenue generated by accommodations within Tombstone from January 2009 to November 2009 increased by 2.3 percent since the same period in 2008, according to Carreira.

"Sometimes we'll have 50, 60 people on the boardwalk—two bags. Maybe a postcard and a small little memento book and that's it," said Andrea Grimaldi, owner of Doc Holliday's Emporium on Allen Street. "It shows the times and the economy the way it is."

"Due to the economics and everybody without a job—[business is] hurting," said Grimaldi. "The tourists don't have the money."

Roy Stockton Helday, 35, who works the ice cream and sandwich counter at the Silver Nugget Bed and Breakfast on Allen Street, said the bed and breakfast has been affected by the economic downturn in the last two years.

"There's about the same amount of tourists—they're just more conservative with their purchases."

Though the number of snowbirds and tourists has remained steady, their hold on their wallets has started to take a toll on other aspects of the Tombstone economy.

The city of Tombstone's retail sales are down 10.4 percent since last year, and bar and restaurant sales are down by 9.5 percent, according to Carreira who assessed the city's tax records. This decline seems to be consistent with the national economic downward trend.

Kyle Masiker, 22, and Taylor Zuber, 19, said they each planned to spend no more than $50 on food or souvenirs on their day trip to Tombstone from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Despite Tombstone's overall waning revenue, some storeowners are confident that smart business and low prices will keep them afloat during the economic downturn.

For the Silver Nugget, a location along Allen Street helps with business due to the amount of foot traffic, as does city advertising along Highway 80 and throughout the town, according to Jim Penna, owner of Silver Nugget.

Randy Davis, 60, who owns Big Iron Shooting Gallery on South Fourth Street, said he is experiencing a healthy amount of business. "We're probably the cheapest amusement-entertainment place in town at three dollars," he said. "With the trolley and the Rosebush Museum next door at $5, people will walk to the door and back up at five and walk next door and see us."

Davis reported there are a few locals who come into his shop two or three times a week to fire "the guns that won the west," however, most of his business derives from tourists. On weekdays in the off-season, about 30 to 60 people come in to fire six shots for $3, and about 80 to 130 over the weekend. During Helldorado week, the gallery averages about 100 visitors per day.

Davis said business has slowed slightly since the recession, but he makes up for it by selling ammunition out of his store.