A small town girl’s perspective on supporting local businesses
The shop smelled of freshly cut wood and wood stain. A cool breeze wafted through the open garage door and rays of sunshine warmed the cold cement floor. The music was blaring to be heard through the earplugs used to mute the whirring woodworking tools.
These powerful memories remind me of the individual who fostered my love for supporting local businesses. Deb Lowney, a family friend, is a local woodworking artist in my hometown in Alaska. I spent many hours in her workshop after school, watching her passion come to life in the final product. Seeing her artwork displayed in the galleries around town always made me proud because I witnessed the concentration and hard work it took to create those pieces.
As a small town girl, I understand the importance of supporting local businesses, like Lowney’s, so the owners can support their families and fuel their passions. In my town, many people own small summer businesses that support the tourism industry. However, this past year due to COVID-19, the tourist industry plummeted and many businesses closed, causing a lot of people to struggle financially.
In Fort Collins, COVID-19 had a similar impact. In May of last year, six local businesses in Fort Collins permanently closed because they could not afford to keep their doors open. “Of course the most difficult part for us is losing our connection with the wonderful customers who have supported us over all of these years; we will miss you terribly,” said Jessica Knudsen, owner of Old Town’s Satin Camisole shop in an interview with the Coloradan.
Another store, the Fort Collins Candy Store Emporium, has been a one stop shop for the candy and antiques since 2018. In an interview with the Coloradan, owner Tony Vallejos said, “I want everyone’s memories of my store to not include masks or gloves or disinfectants, but rather the fun times.” This sentiment is true for many stores who want to preserve the good memories of providing for their communities.
The environment of a town changes dramatically when any business closes. Even when big chain places, like Starbucks, shut down the community feels the impact. In addition to the six local businesses, the Starbucks on W. Elizabeth closed too. Last year, I spent a lot of hours in that particular Starbucks studying and doing homework. Now, college students who live in Rams Village, The Union and The District have to drive across town to find a Starbucks. The closure created an inconvenience for those of us who live on the west side of town.
Unfortunately for small businesses, closures can mean more than a slight inconvenience; for many, their business is their livelihood. Locally owned businesses add to the local economy while securing an income for the owners. Equally important, they add uniqueness to the community while providing personalized customer service, states a listicle from Entrepreneur.
These aspects are what make my hometown and Fort Collins so unique. Both places are full of locally owned businesses, creating a homey and welcoming atmosphere while providing a livelihood for a lot of people. We must support our local businesses to preserve this atmosphere and support our community members.
