It's getting harder for small businesses across New Jersey to get by as inflation rates continue to soar.

Tia Jackson, owner of the family-run TJ's Southern Gourmet in Englewood, says the cost of doing business has doubled​ since inflation began rising and is eating into her bottom line.

"The oil for example, which is a perfect example, normally $17, now $42 and has been as high as $60,” says Jackson.

The restaurant says it was forced to raise prices to make up for the added cost of business, but it's still been difficult to make ends meet.

“Local customers have been responding favorably for the most part and supportive, but there's only so much they can do because they are impacted as well at their home, grocery stores, gas stations,” says Jackson.

The rise in inflation feels like a double whammy for them. The restaurant opened at the start of the pandemic.

“Restaurants or small businesses are having to move double time," says Jackson. "And while people are coming back out, they're eating again ... it's not necessarily making up for your post-pandemic debt and your current accruing bills."

Despite all that is stacked up against them, Jackson and her family are still hopeful.

"I still feel like we are succeeding because of the fact that we are still standing,” says Jackson. “It's not easy. I don't know how our story is going to end or how long we can toe the line, but we just take it one day at a time."

The restaurant is open every day of the week except Monday.