Ways to support local and small businesses.

I have been surprised and impressed by how our local businesses have quickly adapted to the “new normal” during the corona virus pandemic. As we face yet another round of closures, I thought I would post a reminder of ways to support our local and small businesses:

Ways to Support Local and Small Businesses

1. Buy Gift Cards – with the holidays coming up – a gift card makes a great gift and supports the business financially, or consider saving the card to use when things are up and running normally again. Many businesses offer special deals on gift cards before the holidays.
2. Curbside Pick – Up Click here for our list of NW Metro Restaurants that are offering Takeout. Restaurants are not the only businesses that are offering curb-side. If you are not comfortable going into a store, many businesses have online ordering, or you can call in and they will deliver curbside to your car.
3. Shop Local instead of Big Box Instead of going to a big box retailer, what about shopping a NW Metro local boutique instead? I visited Stony Hill Gifts in Rogers to buy a gift and to my surprise they wrapped the gift in a nice bag with tissue paper and ribbon! So easy! Your local boutiques and shops will have unique gifts! Instead of going to a large building supply store – check out your NW Metro hardware store. Your local small businesses will typically provide much better service.
4. Don’t forget to Tip – your service workers are missing out on a large portion of their income that comes from tips. Even if you are ordering curbside – please include a tip!
5. Share your positive experience on Social Media – this may be the easiest and most effective way to help a small business – take a quick photo of your take out meal or the menu, or a photo of a shop or a unique product that they offer. Post to your social media and tag the business and share with your followers, and encourage your friends to support the business. And don’t forget to “like” and share their posts – this really helps!

What other ways can you think of to support local and small businesses? Let us know in the comments below!