Over the past 6 months, we have all gone through an extremely difficult ordeal. 2020 has been challenging for most everyone, to say the least. All of our lives have changed in some way. For some, its been just the inconvenience of having to work from home. Others, have had to take on the additional challenges of being both parent and teacher for their children. Some have battled severe illness, some have had to cope with depression. Many have lost jobs and now, many more business owners are facing the possibility of never opening their doors again. The times have been trying, strained, strange and often devastating.
But, there is a glimmer of hope as we move through this crisis. Around the country, many places are opening back up, even if on a limited basis. Several businesses have changed their business model to not only accommodate those stuck at home but also to stay alive. Many have given as much as they could to keep their staff open during this difficult time. But, as the days and weeks have drug on, it has become increasingly difficult for them to stay afloat. When this crisis has passed, (AND IT WILL PASS) unfortunately, many of our favorite establishments may not have survived the fallout of the last several months. Many will be amazing new places that you heard great things about last fall and had meant to visit this spring, yet never had the chance. Still, just as many will be well established, community staples that have stood 40 or 50 years. No one is immune to this crisis, which is why I am writing this reminder today. Because, if there ever was a time to support our local businesses it is NOW!
The first reason to support our local businesses should be relevant to most of us – these businesses are the backbone of our community. These are the folks who sponsor Little League teams, provide charitable donations to local schools and organizations, and take pride in calling places like Franklin, East Nashville and Kingston Springs home. Without them, we lose the local flavor and variety that make Tennessee such a wonderful place to live. It makes our hometowns unique and special. These are our neighbors, our friends and our family. Home would just not be the same without them as part of the fabric of our community.
Secondly, more people are employed by small business owners than any other employer in America. I used to work in the insurance industry and this was a statistic that always stood out for me. While we think of major corporations like GM, Boeing, or Microsoft providing 100’s of thousands of jobs for Americans, it is in fact small businesses (those employing 100 people or less) that make up 92% of the employment in our country. This actually comes from US Department of Labor statistics and while it fluctuates a percentage or two depending on the year, its been a fairly steady rate for the last 50 years.
These businesses are also interconnected and dependent on each other. If a restaurant closes, not only are their employees impacted, but so are their local vendors, cleaning crews, and equipment service providers. During good times, if a restaurant closes, these other businesses can often recover as someone else will open a new establishment and they can replace the lost business. But, during a crisis such as this, with many establishments being shut down, these seemingly unrelated businesses are also struggling to keep their businesses open and their employees in jobs.
Finally, our local businesses do not have the same playing field as that of the big companies such as Walmart, Amazon and Home Depot. Unfortunately, they lack the resources, economies of scale and of course, government protections procured by lobbyists that Fortune 500 companies are afforded. That, in itself, makes navigating the 21st century difficult in the best of times. But, during the COVID -19 shutdown, it has made survival next to impossible.
Look, I know we are all feeling the pinch right now. And ordering online from Amazon or Walmart is not only convenient, but often cost a little less. But my plea to you is to consider buying local, especially right now. Even if that means less convenience and maybe cost an extra dollar or two. The big companies will weather this storm, but our local family may not. Once those great places that make our towns home are gone, they aren’t coming back. And personally, I’d rather eat a great woodfired pizza from SkyKing Pizza in Kington Springs than mass produced Pizza Hut. I’d rather buy my coffee from RedByrd Coffee in Leiper’s Fork than Starbucks. And I’d rather grab my next winter jacket from Bink’s Outfitters in downtown Franklin than Dick’s Sporting Goods. Because, these are the types businesses that make middle Tennessee home. For me, its worth it…and I hope it is for you as well.
Until next time, shop local and keep livin’ the dream.
Kevin
