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The additional population that lived in Summerside or on the outlying RCAF Stations at North St. Eleanors and Mount Pleasant during the war years gave a tremendous boost to the local economy. Some businesses were able to sell directly to the Station, but most sold goods and services to individual Air Force members. R.T. Holman Ltd, the largest department store in Summerside,was able to secure a large tender to supply coal to the Station. The firm experienced significant growth in retail sales and was always busiest on Saturday nights right up to closing at 10 p.m. 
The downtown area of Water Street thrived with the impact of military personnel and their families. Retailers such as Sinclair & Stewart, and Brace, McKay & Co. Ltd. were grateful for the increased traffic in their premises and stocked gift items especially for Air Force members. 
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The Capitol Theatre and Bowling Alleys was a popular gathering place even though movies and bowling were available at the Station. Hairdressing shops were plentiful, grocery stores were busy, and drug stores had extra sales. Dry cleaners and taxi services also benefited from the thousands of personnel at the two Stations. The telephone company had a large increase in business.