How You Can Support Local and Small Businesses

The current COVID-19 pandemic continues to change how we are staying connected with one another, including organizations and businesses within our communities. The lifeblood of many neighborhoods is driven by small businesses – the locally owned and operated shops, boutiques, and restaurants that offer unique items, custom services, and culinary treasures.

While everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19, small businesses are the hardest hit. We put together a few ideas that can help you support your local small businesses during this time to help ensure that they can weather the storm. If you have other ideas let us know – we would love to hear from you and how you are supporting local businesses.

1. Order Take Out

Although dine-in orders are not allowed, the majority of restaurants are still offering takeout and to-go orders, often without any personal interaction as payment can be made online or over the phone, and food can be placed on a counter for pickup. Order your usual date night meal to go and have a picnic in your living room or pick a local spot once a week and get takeout for lunch or dinner. It saves you from cooking and clean up duties, and it could help save a small business in the process.

2. Purchase Gift Cards

Many non-essential businesses and services are closed until further notice. If you are looking to support your favorite boutiques and service-providers, think about purchasing gift certificates. This will give the business income now and you can return to pick out goods or receive services when it is safe to do so. You can also give gift cards out as gifts to friends and family throughout the year for birthdays and holidays.

3. Get Your Shopping Done Early

Likewise, for businesses that are still open or operating online only, consider shopping early for holiday and birthday gifts. Although not all of us will be in position to do this, even an extra item or two purchased for a sibling, spouse, parent, friend, or family member can make a difference in the cashflow of a business and help them meet their monthly financial obligations.

4. Get Social

Nothing beats word-of-mouth and social marketing for a small business. If you have had a great experience with a business, give them a shout out on social media. Also consider leaving a positive review on Yelp! and similar platforms to help their business rating. Perhaps you have friends, colleagues, or family members who haven’t been to that business before who might be more inclined to check them out at your recommendation.

5. Participate in a Donation Drive

Some local business districts and communities are holding fundraisers to help save local businesses and organizations with donation drives. For example, The Paul Kaplan Group of Bennion Deville Homes is helping raise money for local non-profit organizations and services with a “Palm Springs Strong” apparel drive. All proceeds from the money raised goes back to local desert organizations and Go Fund Me drives for local workers in need of assistance.