The first floor was devoted to wallpaper displays and its lengthy retail counter allowed for conversion to a long bar.

Consumers account for two-thirds of economic activity, half of this at retail counters.

"But everybody is getting concerned about the higher prices being passed on to the retail counter," he said.

It is always busy, and has, in addition to the restaurant portion, a retail counter for the purchase of all the salamis you can carry.

In all, consumers pushed $205.7 billion across retail counters last month, 4.7 percent more, with no adjustment for inflation, than in September 1995.

But wildlife officials say there is evidence of large-scale trade away from the retail counters.

You can buy cheeses at the retail counter or order a selection with your meal.

This means that the amount of merchandise moving across retail counters actually contracted during the period.

And the problems extend beyond the gamers and the retail counter.

Bruce Sobol, one of the owners, said they plan to serve these foods for the same prices that are charged at the retail counter.