Shoppers prowl the Round Rock Premium Outlet Mall for a deal. Most big brand names have them. People are buying, but at locally owned boutique shop, Apricot Lane, many shoppers are just walking by despite the 40% off sale sign in window.

“Our store's empty,” said store co-owner, Tammy Grad.

Grad opened the shop with her mom nearly two and half years ago.

“My mom's entire 401K her IRA her savings, her house is mortgaged for this place. We have no loans for this store. It's strictly her money and it's all gone,” said Grad.

When the mall first opened, Grad says Apricot Lane made more than enough money to pay its bills, but after the first six months, things changed.

“Traffic's been pretty horrible since then and we've been really struggling and trying to stay alive. It's been our locals that have kept us alive to this point,” said Grad.

Even with local support, the shop’s $16,000 to $18,000 month sales; it’s not enough to cover the bills which Grad says reaches up to $19,000 a month.

Since January 2007 Apricot Lane has had a continuous sale; recently up to 50% 70% off; just to lure shoppers in.

Deep discounts have brought in some shoppers but it may be too late. Overall, sales are down 60% this year from last.

“At this point it's which bills do we pay,” said Grad.

With bankruptcy looming in the near future Grad says she is regretting the move into the outlet mall.

“They had predicted it was going to be 6 to 8 million visitor per year and traffic was just going to be insane,” said Grad.

With 6 and a half years still on her lease contract, Grad can not move the store to another location; instead she will have to close the doors and leave her dream behind.

“We're hoping for a miracle…We don't even have a month left,” said Grad.

Simon Mall and Chelsea Mall which own and operate the Round Rock Outlet initially agreed to speak with KVUE about its progress; instead, mall representatives changed their minds, saying they do not want to be part of any negative publicity. Instead, a mall manager praised the amount of traffic the mall is seeing but would not release those numbers.