Seven months on, the answer might just be – yes.

While Griffith Central has not had the impact on the main street that many retailers feared, the worsening drought, spiralling fuel prices and a host of vacant shop fronts have caused Banna Avenue to lose its buzz.

Across the top, middle and bottom blocks of the once-thriving retail strip there are 15 vacant shop fronts.

But what worries Caesars’ managing director Paul Pierotti the most is that Banna Avenue has lost the pulsating atmosphere that had always set it apart.

“The real concern is how flat it feels; there’s so many fewer people around that it doesn’t have that buoyancy,” Mr Pierotti said.

It is not only the main street that is struggling though, with Griffith Central having 12 vacancies and Griffin Plaza five.

Mr Pierotti said the dual economic impacts of the drought and higher fuel prices were the drivers behind the downturn.

“We’ve had a massive decline in store traffic throughout the retail precinct and that’s a very worrying sign,” Mr Pierotti said.

“It’s a different atmosphere and when I talk about this atmosphere thing, atmosphere in retailing is fundamental.

“You’ve got to have this vibrant, buzzing feel to get people to shop and if you don’t have that feel, even the people who are prepared to shop just won’t.”

However, long-term Banna Avenue retailer Peter Dalla of Ron Dalla Menswear has a different view, saying that the historic resilience of the Griffith economy meant Banna Avenue remained in reasonable health.

He said that unlike their counterparts in the major metropolitan centres, Griffith retailers had adjusted to the effects of the drought.

“Foot traffic is probably slightly down but I wouldn’t say it’s dramatic,” Mr Dalla said.

“The great thing about Griffith is that it has always had a lot of young people and you still see them out and about down the street.”

Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Craig Tilston said while there was no doubt that Griffith retailers were struggling, it was not all doom and gloom.

“It’s tough for everyone, but it can be turned around,” Mr Tilston said. “I think if we get two or three years of good conditions, two or three years of average or above average rainfalls, it could get the town back on track.”