Small businesses have been hit especially hard by the pandemic and subsequent safety regulations. Over the summer more than 400,000 small businesses across the country have had to close their doors permanently.

And until the coronavirus has been eradicated, it’s up to us--the community members--to support these local businesses and ensure their survival.

Why Local Businesses Matter

Supporting local businesses has always had a positive impact on communities. Locally owned eateries, craft stores, boutiques, and mom-and-pop shops support both the local economy and the local community.

According to one source, 48% of money spent on local businesses is recycled back into the community, compared to just 13% of money spent on national chain stores. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that ⅔ of private sector jobs are created by small businesses, providing locals with more career opportunities. Local business owners are also themselves members of the same community, making them much more likely to support and get involved with other community initiatives.

So when local businesses thrive, the whole community benefits. No wonder so many people have chosen to buy local during the COVID-19 crisis.

How You Can Help

1. Share on social - Hype up your favorite local restaurant and stores on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok. Write a good review on Yelp. And tell all your friends. Follow your community businesses online and share their promotions or deals, or even recommend an idea.
2. Volunteer and donate - If possible, volunteer your time and expertise to help. Offer graphic design skills to update their website, or even to clean up their store-front. Donate hoarded hand sanitizers and other cleaning supplies. Share hoarded sanitizer and supplies with local businesses. And if you can’t make that therapy, tutoring, financial planning, yoga, or fitness session, consider donating that money instead of asking for a refund.
3. Buy local - In case you haven’t been doing so already, order take-out or delivery from beloved local restaurants. Or sign up for a local farm share box to support community farmers and receive fresh groceries. Order delivery from other local businesses that offer it, like clothing boutiques, garden centers, and bookstores. And buy gift cards to use when things reopen.
4. Buy locally made - Not to brag, but Baru employs over 80 local workshops and furniture-makers across the country. So not only do all our furniture items come with an attached 100% Made in the USA tag, they are all made local to your community. Often only about an hour away. This means we’re both supporting the global environment by reducing shipping CO2 emissions, and supporting local businesses by keeping production local.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not going to last forever. But our commitment to ensuring local businesses and communities succeed definitely will. And it’s our hope that we will continue to support each other long after facemasks have become an optional accessory again.

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