CANTON — Business permits continued to slump as the summer months bring warmer weather to Cherokee County.

Seventy-six new licenses were granted in July, down from 95 issued in June and 124 issued in July 2011.

The number of permits issued this year continues to trail 2011 figures, as 928 licenses have been granted so far this year.

As of July 2011, there had been 1,288 licenses doled out.

The Cherokee County government also approved fewer permits in July. The Development Services Center issued 54 permits, down from 63 issued in June and 85 granted in July 2011. The county has approved 631 licenses in 2012, down considerably from 984 approved in 2011.

Pam Carnes, president and CEO of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, added the downturn is “disappointing, yet not completely unexpected.”

“Businesses, whether corporations or entrepreneurs, are more cautious now than ever,” she added.

A relatively new trend of cheaper clothing stores has also caught Carnes’ eye.

Several clothing shops that also offer consignment deals have popped up, offering residents closer options to find deals on clothes.

“Just because you grow tired of the item doesn’t mean someone else won’t use it and appreciate it,” she said. “Children’s consignment stores have been successful for years. Adults are simply following suit.”

One of the county’s newest consignment clothing stores just opened in Woodstock.

Your Closet Couture has opened off Towne Lake Parkway.

Naomi Nichols, a 16-year-old student who lives in the area, said her mother opened the store for her because “she wanted to work.”

Naomi, who just received her General Equivalency Diploma, said she loves clothes and would like to start her own business.

Naomi said business is slow, but she’s not discouraged.

“I’m not getting down on myself right now,” she said. “I think it’s going to be great.”

Your Closet Couture consists of buying and selling clothing, accessories and shoes, among other things.

Along with her mother, Naomi said her grandmother also pitches in to help with the operations.

The teenager said she is not sure if she wants to do this as a permanent career, but added it’s taught her a thing or two about life in general.

“Owning your own business is a great experience because it’s hands-on,” she added.

The city of Canton issued five permits in July, down from six granted in June and five issued in July 2011. So far this year, the city has doled out 65 permits, down steeply from 115 by the end of July 2011.

Holly Springs only had four permits approved in July, down from five in June, but up from two granted in July 2011. The city has approved 36 permits this year, down from last year’s figure of 18.

Woodstock doled out 11 permits last month, also a decrease from 17 approved in June and 16 approved in July 2011. The city so far has granted 139 permits, up from 186 granted by the end of 2011.

Ball Ground approved two requests for two licenses in July, the same number it approved in June and July 2011. The city this year has issued 13 permits, down from 18 by the end of last July.

Neither Waleska nor Nelson issued any licenses in July or June. Both cities have not issued any new licenses this year. Waleska issued one license by the end of July 2011, and Nelson remained without a new business by the end of the same time period.

New business licenses issued in Cherokee:

BALL GROUND

Patterson Painting

107 Covington Drive

Tuck’s Facility Services

701 Lantern Walk Way

CANTON

Canton Party Zone

1810 Cumming Highway Suite 1150

Car Cash, LLC

1830 Marietta Highway

Corner Bistro

135 Reinhardt College Parkway Suite 1

Lindstrom & McKenney, Inc.

1447 RiverStone Parkway

Precision Repairs

310 Kaley Drive

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Affinity Public Relations, LLC

Home-based business

American Medical Transport, Inc

Home-based business

Anthony Lydell Hall

Home-based business

Atlanta Paint & More Company, LLC

Home-based business

Bates Electrical Service Team, LLC

Home-based business

Bison Contracting, LLC

Home-based business

Celtic Lawn Works, LLC

Home-based business

Crown Home Inspections

Home-based business

CSL Services, LLC

Home-based business

Danny’s Rock & Roll, LLC

5735 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

David Buford Consulting

Home-based business

Decorator’s Decision, Inc.

Home-based business

Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC/Empire Store No. 220

6425 Bells Ferry Road Woodstock

Engaged Systems, LLC

Home-based business

G 247 Technology Corp

Home-based business

House Plan Resource

555 Arnold Mill Road Woodstock

Innovations in Remodeling

Home-based business

JET Construction/Installations

Home-based business

Joyce Hall

5500 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

L & B Interiors, Inc.

Home-based business

Lucas Hall

Home-based business

Mae LLC

Home-based business

Metin, LLC

5724 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

Metro Home Designs Construction

Home-based business

Mo Dawgs

Home-based business

NuMe, LLC

Home-based business

Orangewood Point, LLC

Home-based business

Overflo Services, Inc.

Home-based business

Ovr Coffee Cafe, INC.

Home-based business

Payne Sub-Contracting

Home-based business

Powell Grading, LLC

Home-based business

Prose Tree Service

Home-based business

Quality Touch

Home-based business

Rodney J. Kirk

5500 Bells Ferry Road Acworth

Reardon Home Services LLC

Home-based business

Roller Bearing Company of America dba BEMD Company

1376 Airport Drive Ball Ground

Salon 3:16, LLC

97 Grove Park Lane Woodstock

Seed Transportation, LLC

Home-based business

Southern Trim Solutions

Home-based business

SP Properties, Inc.

Home-based business

Steve Powell Homes, Inc.

Home-based business

Steve Powell Homes , LLC

Home-based business

Stunning Ladies, LLC

Home-based business

Suite Serendipity Salon

1105 Parkside Lane Woodstock

Sweet Escapes, LLC

9776 East Cherokee Drive Canton

TJ Auto Service, LLC

10262 Main St. Woodstock

Travis Stubblefield

Home-based business

T-Shirts-N-Things

14865 Highway 92 Woodstock

Talmadge Holloway

Home-based business

The Looking Glass Recording, LLC

Home-based business

The Cleaner Service GP

Home-based business

Video/Graphics

Home-based business

Winey Blonde Boutique

9327 Hickory Flat Highway Woodstock

Zerahs Sewing Room

Home-based business

HOLLY SPRINGS

Carter Construction

1644 Morgan Road

Conklin Studios, LLC

103 Childers Road

Engineering Tools Atlanta Ltd

87 Hickory Springs Industrial Drive

Grant Family Photography

409 Crestmont Lane

WOODSTOCK

Diverse Plumbing & Mechanical

2408 Tree Park Circle

Fast Eddie’s Home Services, LLC

302 Weatherstone Place

Interactive Avenue, LLC

359 Santa Anita Ave.

NNTegrity, LLC

308 Balaban Circle

Pegasus Support Services, LLC

1198 Buckhead Crossing Unit B

Show Me Off Again

1407 Coventry Court

Source Refrigeration & HVAC Inc.

326 Bell Park Drive

Steele Evans Group LLC

500 Elkhorn Place

The Trip Station, LLC

357 Santa Anita Ave.

Weiss ENT, P.C.

100 Stoneforest Drive Suite: 230-A

Your Closet Couture Inc

200 Parkbrooke Drive Suite 120