In case you haven't noticed small business owners have spent the better part of the past 7 months retooling their businesses. They've been learning how to do more with less and have been searching for creative ways to stay in business while focusing on maintaining a safe environment for their customers and employees. The current Public Health Order has been in effect, except for regular changes and updates along the way, since mid-March. I applaud all of our local small business owners for their hard work and diligence in overcoming the hardships they have faced by trying to keep a business running during a global pandemic.
The environment that business has learned to operate in during the COVID crisis has undergone drastic changes. We are now working, predominantly, from home and utilizing remote business practices to run our companies. I wish I had purchased stock in Zoom way back in January or February because I know it would have been a smart investment. Due to social distancing and COVID Safe Practices (CSP's) we have done all that we can to keep our customers safe when they choose to do business with us. This is what I want to talk to you about today.
Since the beginning of the pandemic you have heard me recommend the practice of shopping local. I don't know how many times I have recommended that you order take out or delivery from a local eatery. These local eateries needed your help during this critical time and we, as neighbors, are obligated to help our local businesses as much as possible. Since March 13, I have worked to support a healthy, safe and COVID free environment. We have, to the consternation of some, helped to encourage the use of masks and facial coverings while out in public and in order to further mitigate exposure to the Corona Virus.
In frustration many of you have learned to stay home! You, the consumer have been doing all that you can to remain socially distant! You have learned how to order takeout, you've accepted food delivery, you have learned how to stay away from local stores and you've gotten away from local shopping. Unfortunately, you need to unlearn some of the behavior that you've been conditioned to adopt lately.
Local retailers depend on you for sales that make their year. They depend on you buying from them so they too can support their families during the holidays. They need you to order your seasonal gifts from them so they can stay open during the holiday and beyond. The problem is that we have been telling you to stay away. We have seen a proliferation of online shopping sites and this has reinforced your ability to stay home and shop from there. During the 2020 holiday shopping period you need to do whatever you can to shop locally. If you agree to do your part, I guarantee I can get the local businesses to do their part!
What exactly is their part? Local businesses will be marketing their goods and services to you so that you will know where to find them and how to buy from them. Call your favorite shop and ask them how to place an order. If they don't answer the phone, try them again. They are there but they may be helping a customer or utilizing alternate hours since they are not making the same money that they used to make. Ask your friends what they've done to buy locally! Other people are shopping locally with much success so find out what they are doing and do the same. Look for the local businesses on social media. Go to Facebook and search Grant County Goodies or Silver City in general and contact the businesses who are on those sites. They are local and they need your business!
Local businesses, now is the time for you to make sure that you have the proper mechanisms in place for people to shop your business on line. There are ways to capture the business locally and an ecommerce add-in is an easy thing to add to your website. What? You don't have a website? Now is the time to get one! There is plenty of business to be had in Grant County! The businesses are out there and the shoppers are out there and now is the time to bring them all together.
The time to start planning for the shopping season is now. Whether you are a shopper or a merchant your goal should be the same. Shop locally, Shop locally, Shop locally! I challenge you to seek out a local merchant and buy from them. Buy your gifts locally from a company who needs your help now more than ever!