Friday, September 18, 2020

Supporting Small Businesses During Covid


To say that Covid 19 has devastated the lives and livelihoods of many of our neighbors would be a gross understatement. As we struggle to find a new normal in what feels like month eight thousand six hundred forty two of the pandemic, one can’t help notice how many businesses have closed their doors permanently. Many of which have been part of our commercial landscape for twenty, or even thirty plus years. Restaurants, gyms, boutiques that struggled to make ends meet when things were “normal” just weren’t able to keep it going during the pandemic. The ripple effect of losing independently owned businesses runs deep and the loss of these local dollars has long ugly tentacles. Employees are let go, vendors don’t get orders, landlords lose tenants, utilities disconnected, state sales taxes lost, local property taxes lost. Now darkened commercial store fronts negatively impact the social and property values of entire communities.  We're all conserving during these uncertain times but the next time you need to pick up a can of paint or some take out supper skip the chains and spend with your independently owned locals. Now more than ever, shopping small is impactful. It may cost you an extra dollar today but it will save your community, your neighbors and protect your property values for tomorrow.