CT BUSINESSES
15 Ways To Support Local Business During The Coronavirus Shutdown
22 March 2020
Owner Of Gift Shop Standing In Doorway
The combination of businesses being required to temporarily shut down and people staying home has caused small local businesses to suffer. Some of this will be temporary, but some business owners will be forced to shut down for good. The government is doing what it can in terms of financial relief and other initiatives, but that can only go so far and for so long. Ultimately it’s going to be up to us, the local communities and customers, to support these businesses.
Why Support Local?
Local business is essential for our economy. They bring growth and innovation to our communities. The provide employment and create entrepreneurship opportunities and support the local economies, communities and neighborhoods.
The also care about their community. They know their customers by name; they are our neighbors and friends. They are what make our towns special and unique.
Most are feeling a financial strain right now, and are worried about the future. But if you need to buy something, try your local store first. If you still have an income, try ordering from your favorite local restaurant once a week.
Here are 15 other ways to support your local businesses:
- Many restaurants are offering delivery and pickup, but check for delivery options at places other than restaurants. Your local toy store, flower shop, bookstore or clothing boutique may not have their usual storefront, but many are providing delivery or curbside pickup.
- Buy gift cards or credit for later from your favorite restaurants, stores, hair salons, spas, childcare providers and hardware store.
- Share local restaurant delivery menus on your social media pages
- Check with the businesses you frequently shop with. They may have altered their services to fit the temporary ‘new normal’. For example, your local cleaners now may provide a disinfecting service, or maybe a toy store is now selling homeschool supplies.
- If you still have steady income and the financial means to do it, continue to pay your cleaning people, hair stylist, nanny, etc. They need us and we need them.
- Check to see which of your services/providers are now being provided online. Therapists, tutoring, yoga, personal trainers, coaches, financial planners, lawyers, music classes for kids - all of these can be continued through videos or online conferencing.
- Tip service workers extra.
- Keep paying your memberships and subscriptions, even if they’ve been temporarily suspended.
- If you or your child already paid for a class that was cancelled, instead of a refund, donate that lost money to the organization.
- Start a local business network where people can engage with local businesses remotely. Charlotte, NC created Support Local Or Else, where businesses can promote deals and services during this time.
- Are you a website designer, developer, or a social media expert? Offer your services to local businesses that don’t have an online presence to help them sell and promote online.
- If you learn of a unique promotion or idea from a local business, share it online. The Whisk Bakery in Smithtown NY and Sweet Delites in Somers NY are providing decorating and baking kits for kids and their parents, with curb side pickup. Because local businesses usually don’t have huge marketing efforts, their customers can help spread the word through social media.
- Share hoarded sanitizer and supplies with local businesses.
- Start an online contest / drawing for local business gift cards and services. Lisa and Brian Arakelian, who operate Arakelian Plumbing & Heating in Hampton, NH created a weekly contest to support their local businesses. In total, 1,119 entered the first random drawing simply by replying to Lisa’s initial Facebook post and the winner received a gift card for a local restaurant.
- Just give a donation. Cash is always appreciated.
One of Connecticut's most recognizable family-owned businesses is bringing its hard cider beyond state lines. Middlefield-based Lyman Orchards has announced that its 1741 Hard Cider line is expanding into Massachusetts through a new distribution partnership with Quality Beverage, a division of the Martignetti Company. The move marks the first time the orchard's hard cider will be widely available outside of Connecticut.
Connecticut has passed one of the biggest updates to its cannabis laws since legalization, bringing significant changes for cannabis operators, hemp businesses, retailers, investors, and infused beverage manufacturers. The new legislation expands opportunities in the industry while introducing stricter compliance requirements that many businesses will need to prepare for.
After months of rebuilding, the owners have welcomed visitors back with restored attractions while maintaining the same experience that made it a favorite before the flood
Connecticut's manufacturing sector is showing signs of renewed momentum, and General Dynamics Electric Boat is playing a major role. The Groton-based submarine manufacturer has significantly expanded hiring in 2026, helping reverse manufacturing job losses seen over the past year. The company plans to hire approximately 8,000 new employees across its Connecticut and Rhode Island facilities this year as demand for Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines continues to grow.
If you operate a tennis court, pickleball complex, school facility, municipality, or sports complex, you already know one thing: cracks do not fix themselves. And once structural cracking begins, surface coatings alone will not stop it. That is where RiteWay Crack Repair separates itself from the rest of the industry.
NORWALK, CT — A well-known local wine bar and tapas restaurant has permanently closed its doors in Norwalk after nearly ten years of operation at The Waypointe development. Barcelona Wine Bar, located at 515 West Avenue, served Norwalk residents and visitors from its Waypointe location until this past weekend, according to a company spokesperson.
CONNECTICUT — Residents in Connecticut filed nearly twice as many scam reports with the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker in 2025 compared to the previous year, with reported losses totaling about $2.6 million.