CT BUSINESSES
15 Ways To Support Local Business During The Coronavirus Shutdown
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.
