Letter from the editor
The holiday shopping season has officially arrived. The signs, ads and deals are everywhere. We are bound to see plenty of offers that seem too good to pass up. You will see them on your TV, phone and computer screens. Please consider who you are giving your hard-earned money to. As a small business owner, I ask that you keep your dollars here in the community.
Let’s help our locally owned businesses out this holiday season. This year specifically has been brutal for small businesses in our area. Local retailers were forced to close for months while their large corporate counterparts enjoyed higher than ever sales. When retail and restaurants were eventually permitted to open, they were limited to only a small percentage of their capacity. I realize public health safety is top priority and the pandemic has created unique challenges we never faced before. However, our area businesses owners are smart! If they were given an equal opportunity, they would have adjusted and created systems and spaces to keep their clientele safe. 2020 is what it is. We’ve all been beaten up. But like football coach Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not about how many times you get knocked down. It’s about how many times you get up.” The ability to recover from defeat is more telling about your character than the reason you were knocked down.
You may have seen the recent news report revealing that Atlantic County had both the highest unemployment and food insecurity rate in the nation this past June. While very alarming, it’s not surprising given how hard the gaming, hospitality and tourism industry has been hit by the pandemic.
Small businesses are essential in creating new jobs. Over 65% of all new jobs come from the creation of small businesses. Another important aspect that often gets overlooked is how much of your hard-earned money stays in your hometown. When you buy from a local store, a higher percentage of that money stays in your local community. For every $100 spent, $68 stays in the local economy. That is compared to $43 when spent at big box stores.
Additionally, “Mom-and-pop” shops often provide personal one-of-a-kind products and resources you may not find anywhere else. The Jersey Shore has a distinct charm and vibe of its own. Let’s make our choices support that. If you have a question or special request for a small business, these folks are happy to help. If you have ever asked for assistance at Walmart, you know the difference. It is also the local businesses that support our community in giving back. Did you ever see a big box store name on the back of a kid’s sports jersey? Nope. It’s the local businesses that support and invest in our community.
This Saturday, November 30th, many small stores and family-run shops will be participating in Small Business Saturday. This nationwide movement was launched by American Express nearly a decade ago as an alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In the years since, communities have stepped in to show their support for and patronize brick and mortar retailers. There is no need to limit Small Business Saturday to just one day.
It may seem easiest, even safest to order from Amazon, but I implore you to investigate. Many small businesses now have online shopping, curbside pick-up and delivery. We encourage you to think local first. Support the makers, the chefs, the artists, the entrepreneurs that have been and always will be the fabric of our communities. This holiday season, pandemic or no pandemic, let’s support one another, choose happiness, choose joy and choose gratitude .
Peace & Love,
Cindy
