The El Shaddai Florist is closing its Hamilton location and moving to Sandys in order to cut costs to stay in business.The florist, located at 72 Church Street, will shut its doors today, and will open in the West End today as well. The move was a result of Bermuda’s struggling economy.“It’s the same situation everyone is facing and I’m trying to be proactive by moving and keeping my overhead low,” said owner of the shop, Shirmika Brown, who employs four full-time staff and one part-time.Ms Brown explained that 95 percent of her business is conducted over the phone so the foot traffic that she expected to pick up in Hamilton didn’t end up covering the cost of renting in the city.“Most people didn’t even know we were in Hamilton and the passer-by trade wasn’t enough to stay,” she said.The new shop will be located on Somerset Road, Sandys (formerly Manchester Street) across from Caesar’s Pharmacy, where rent is less expensive. The florist will be open immediately to ensure a smooth transition between locations.“We’re excited to make the move,” said Ms Brown, who creates flower arrangements for special and corporate events as well as ‘everyday’ bouquets.El Shaddai Florist has been in business for 12 years — first starting out of Warwick and then opening a shop on Church Street as well as in Well Bottom, Camp Hill in Southampton. The Well Bottom shop will remain open.Bermuda’s ongoing recession has been tough on the Island’s retailers, with a string of recent closures in Hamilton making headlines. Business owners are doing everything they can to weather the storm.“Business has been steady but the recession has been tough, definitely,” said Ms Brown. “That’s why I’m making the move I’m making — so I can stay alive.”But she assures her clients that El Shaddai is still up and running, ready to serve customers.“We are still here — just a phone call away,” she said.The phone number will remain the same at 236-2469 and for the Well Bottom store, 236-4313. The Facebook page is El Shaddai Florist.