Limited parking space and street-side occupation by residential vehicles has been frustrating retailers along Mailer St.
Fringe Benefits owner Annette Laidlaw said the same vehicles, belonging to Mornington residents, were often parked all day outside her hairdressing business, despite a 60-minute limit.
She said complaints to the Dunedin City Council were generally fruitless.
Angering her further was the speed in which she was issued a ticket while trying to open her business some mornings.
Unable to find a park, she would briefly leave her car in front of an unused garage or on yellow lines to open her shop and take things inside.
On one occasion when she was ticketed, she pointed out other problem parkers but the warden ignored them.
Mrs Laidlaw said she tried to get a designated parking sign from the council for a small space near the back of her business, as some nearby residents had done, but her request was denied.
Parkside Posh owner Carol Dobber shared Mrs Laidlaw's frustrations.
The gift retailer said customers had told her they resorted to shopping in town when deterred by the difficulty of getting a park near her business.
"Even trying to get a park I have to drop my bags and everything off here and then circle around and go down the road. But people aren't going to go to that hassle then walk to my shop."
Mrs Dobber has considered opening at night when there would be less competition for parking space.
"That's how bad it is, although I'm just putting up with it at the moment. I've thought about moving into town just for the simple reason that there's a lack of parking for people here."
Swaye Boutique owner Jenny Walker moved her business to Mornington from Green Island but in part regrets the shift.
"Business in Green Island was a lot better because parking was good. Life would be a lot easier if there was better parking here."
Ms Walker has also had customers tell her of their reluctance to visit the shop because of parking problems.
"I have to park miles away to get here myself. It is a bit of a shame when they [council] are trying to make the 'burbs a wee bit better."
Corrine Conder, of Flowers on Mornington, said the 60-minute parks outside the florist's were constantly being taken up by vehicles parked for hours on end.
She had complained to the council but it continued to be an issue.
