How Long Can These Businesses Stay in the US?

Orne bought the business in 2004 and like so many domestic businesses, it's hanging on by a thread.

Three years ago, Aegis was selling about 800 frames a year for between $3,000 to $4,000 each, making as much as $3 million a year. Then the recession hit.

"The economy took us by surprise," said Orne. "I had so much product sitting on the walls. Two years ago the money dried up. A year and a half ago, we started shutting down our manufacturing. It's been a struggle to compete with the sizzle of cheaper Asian brands."

The factory in Van Buren, Maine is currently mothballed. "It is ready to go if we can get financing again," Orne said. Until then, he keeps the business alive online and through discounts. "I'm selling my inventory at almost 60% off," he said.

Orne hopes to revive the brand. "It depends on the economy," he said. One thing he vows -- the business will remain in America.By Parija Kavilanz, senior writerNEXT: Mrs. Grossman's Email Print RSS     Paste this link into your favorite RSS desktop reader See all CNNMoney.com RSS FEEDS (close) try { cnnShareLinks.init('Galleries','rss.cnn.com/rss/money_galleries.rss'); // EDIT THIS } catch(e) {} LAST UPDATE: Aug 30 2010 | 10:56 AM ET cnnad_createAd("947515","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=628x215_bot&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=quigo&cnn_money_subsection=galleries¶ms.styles=fs","215","628"); var fbcUnique = false;More American Apparel in jeopardy Seller of 'Made in U.S.' casual clothing warns it may not stay in business. More New York schmear tacticsNew York state is ramping up enforcement of its sliced bagel tax. More Small business loans need cash Despite efforts $1.5 billion in federal funding is stuck in Congress. More cnnad_createAd("240070","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=336x280_rgt&cnn_money_rollup=small_business¶ms.styles=fs","280","336"); cnnad_createAd("618972","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=336x280_quigo&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=quigo&cnn_money_subsection=galleries¶ms.styles=fs","280","336"); Sponsors cnnad_createAd("952363","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon1&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); cnnad_createAd("879681","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon2&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); cnnad_createAd("532155","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon3&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); cnnad_createAd("287730","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon4&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); cnnad_createAd("141932","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon5&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); cnnad_createAd("239256","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_money&cnn_money_position=315x40_spon6&cnn_money_rollup=small_business&cnn_money_section=sponsor_center¶ms.styles=fs","40","315"); var cnnSource = "CNN"; try{ msQueueManager.init('requestFrame', ms_blankURL); }catch(e){} Please create a screen name to access this feature.

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