With news of mom-and-pop shops, small business, longstanding businesses and everything in between shutting down nationwide due to coronavirus restrictions, it’s more important now than ever to support local. While you might be wary of going to your favorite breakfast spot, getting your nails done, or buying your vitamins from your favorite health food store, there are still tons of ways to give back and let your small business owners know that you’re rooting for them.
Leave Positive Reviews
Putting your fingers to your keyboard or phone screen might be the easiest and most helpful act you can do to support your local business owners. Not only does it take about 10 seconds to do, but your positive review will live online for many years to come and provide prying eyes with needed feedback to make a purchase.
Order Takeout/Delivery
Give your kitchen a break and opt to order tasty takeout or treat yourself to some delivery once in a while. It doesn’t need to be expensive, and it doesn’t need to be all the time, but showing your favorite restaurants some support gives them the love they need to keep on keepin’ on. After all, eating in is the new eating out.
Attend Virtual Events
While it’s really unfortunate that we can’t head to our local venues for outdoor concerts, live music events, and art shows, we can still support our local creatives who are continuing to practice and promote their craft. The best part is that we can do so by sitting on our sofa and tuning in online. Not only are live concerts being held online, but you can also enjoy a Virtual Art Shop and artist workshops via Arts Warehouse’s social media channels.
Schedule a TBD Service
Make a decision now that not only your future self will thank you for, but that your local artist, baker or restauranteur will thank you for. Need a cake for a baby shower next month? Buy your baked goods now for delivery later. Looking to freshen up your home by adding a new art piece? Commission one with your favorite local artist now, and welcome your new art piece when it’s complete.
Say Thank You
Similar to writing a positive review online, local business owners love getting positive feedback, especially now when they’re dealing with so many what-ifs and what-do-I-dos. So practice your penmanship and send them a thank you note for their services, or post a picture on social media with your mouthwatering delivery meal and tag them. It’s a little gesture but one that will make all the difference.
It’s important to remember that local business owners are people just like us, so treat them how you’d want to be treated. Be kind, be thoughtful, and make the extra effort that shows them how much you appreciate their endeavors. After all, we wouldn’t have our favorite foods, T-shirts, art pieces and more without them.
