buy local Area businesses need your support, now more than ever Residents of our area are aware of the importance of shopping at local businesses, and the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made supporting community stores even more crucial. The need to close their doors for months brought customer foot traffic and cash flow to a standstill. During this unusual time, local merchants were creative and adapted to the challenging conditions by trying new ways to let With COVID-19 effects, what have you done to emphasize buying local from your store or buying a local service from you? LARA MALOY, OWNER, FURCHGOTT SOURDIFFE GALLERY AND FRAMING
Mid-March was a difficult time to feel comfortable with any marketing attempt. We were busy following the news and taking all necessary precautions. By April, we decided our best approach would be to offer an art sale. From April 15 through May 15, we promoted a 15 percent discount on original art sales with an additional 15 percent of the sale donated to Partners in Health, a nonprofit organization uniquely positioned to respond to COVID-19 globally. With the response to the sale, we were able to make payments to local artists (Act Local) while also making a sizable donation to PIH (Think Global). All this happened at a time when I doubted making any sales. DIEDRE SENIOR, OWNER, A LITTLE SOMETHING
We are open for in-person shopping, but we’re also offering other alternatives, including private shopping, FaceTime shopping, online ordering, curbside pickup, and shipping. We also offer free gift wrapping. A Little Something has been committed to keeping our customers safe and secure when choosing to shop local. ERIN BRENNAN, MANAGER, JESS BOUTIQUE
With the closure of our boutiques during the COVID-19 quarantine, we had to quickly pivot to offering the same level of service but in a virtual way. We capitalized on our relationships with our existing customers by curating style boxes for people to shop from home, sent photos via email, and offered FaceTime video shopping. We also started hosting live selling events on social media, where customers were 44 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
their customers know that they’re here, they’re in business, and they can’t wait to help you find what you’re looking for, whether it be delivered, placed in your car when you drive up, or shipped to your home. We reached out to a few business owners and asked for their thoughts about making it through this difficult period. Here are some of their reflections and comments. Remember to make it a point to buy local!
able to shop from the comfort of their home while also having the opportunity to socialize. This allowed us to stay in touch with our customers despite having our doors closed to in-person shopping. Everyone hears “buy local” and “support local.” That’s important for the survival of the business, but what other positive effects do you see? BRIDGET BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER, BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY & SPIRITS
When you buy local you are not supporting a huge company, you are supporting a family of people—your friends and neighbors. Buying local means supporting healthy fresh food sources and local art and culture. You are supporting the community at large as well as the business by voting with your dollar. DIEDRE SENIOR, OWNER, A LITTLE SOMETHING
If folks love where they live, it’s important for them to shop local. If small businesses can’t survive, think about the effect it would have locally. Sponsorships of community organizations, donations to local nonprofits, and jobs for friends, families, and neighbors would all be adversely affected. A thriving and healthy local economy affects all of us, from our real estate values, to the strength of our community organizations, to the caliber of our schools, and to the employment opportunities for all citizens. LARA MALOY, OWNER, FURCHGOTT SOURDIFFE GALLERY AND FRAMING
My heart has been warmed by the appreciation coming from our clients in terms of actual continued business but also emotional support. At a time of crisis, people look toward where they find meaning, encouragement, and community. Art appreciation, creative expression,
and the way we decorate the homes to which we’ve been confined prove important to mental health and well-being. The continued communication (despite physical distancing) and focus on home projects helped everyone to have positive thoughts and safe connection. ERIN BRENNAN, MANAGER, JESS BOUTIQUE
Shopping local keeps our dollars spent in the community, supporting the economy close to home as well as keeping local people employed. Supporting local also means supporting people we know—our neighbors, friends, and family. It creates connections among real people forging deeper relationships and a stronger community. Were there any ways merchants worked together to promote buying local? DIEDRE SENIOR, OWNER, A LITTLE SOMETHING
The website www.lovevermont.org was founded by local professionals who quickly reached out to Vermont merchants and strategized on social media to get the word out about small businesses that could be supported during the shutdown. BRIDGET BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER, BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY & SPIRITS
We are part of the Burlington Farmers Market and have always partnered with other local farmers and businesses like the Vermont Cranberry Company, the Farm Between, Brown’s Orchards & Farmstand, and others to buy the freshest ingredients for our products in addition to the crops we grow right on our own farm. ERIN BRENNAN, MANAGER, JESS BOUTIQUE
We are constantly working with other local businesses through cross-marketing campaigns and events as well as individually frequenting other local businesses in order to support people we know.
