PARK CITY - The 32nd annual Sundance Film Festival raked in millions this year, but some local small businesses said they ended up losing money.
"It definitely rocked our company the past ten days," said Aja Macheel, owner of a Salt Lake City flowershop.
Macheel said she's seen the money flowing in and out of Park City every year and decided this year would be the year to try to get in and stake their claim. However, she found it's not so simple.
"We are competing against all the big guys that already have their foot in the door," Macheel adds.
She said it's difficult to get a foot in the door in the first place. In order for her company to do so, they had to donate thousands of dollars worth of flowers and plants. Some of her employees also worked 80 hour weeks to accommodate all the deliveries at the various sites around town.
Macheel notes that it's difficult to know what kind of return her company will get from the exposure, but she did feel the festival was a positive experience overall.
"A lot of people are loyal to their vendors, so, we are excited to have our foot in the door," she said.
She hopes that next year, the money will begin flowing in the opposite direction.
