There’s one thing that’s been consistent throughout the 2020 crisis–the focus on connection within the community. “One of the things that’s come out of the pandemic is regular calls with other leaders of downtowns across the continent. It’s been nice to connect with other people who are doing the same work. We feed off each other and share ideas–it’s great,” Hensley says.
BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST
D
ecember 2020 has passed uneasily, but downtown Boise continues to sparkle with twinkling lights and the promise of a better new year. It’s a quiet and peaceful scene–too quiet. Just ask the local and unique businesses that make our city so special. It’s been a year tougher than no other and small businesses have suffered like no other. The good news–there are ways we can help. “Places are open and being very safe, and they’re offering their goods and services in lots of different ways,” explains Downtown Boise Association Executive Director Jenn Hensley. “It’s actually a nice time to be downtown.”
Not to mention the connections developing between business owners, which Hensley explains she’s seen from the beginning. From collaborations to kind words, the people who make downtown feel like a hometown have stuck together. “It’s one of the things that makes Boise so different,” Hensley says. ”Everybody is out for the health of each other. They understand that if everybody does well, they do well.” Like many of us, small business owners are facing a heightened struggle after the holiday season. Hensley points out that local shops and restaurants have proven themselves to be the heart of our community–Amazon isn’t sponsoring your kid’s soccer team, but the local sports store may have done so for many years. “Small businesses are personal, they care about the community, they’re your neighbors. It’s the store you always remember because they sold you the perfect thing and they did it personally,” she says.
The Funky Taco restaurant graduated from a food truck to a downtown location two years ago. “Our staff is down to myself, my husband and two cooks,” says Sherie Archambo, owner. “This take-out window has saved us–but just barely.” Natalie Durham, owner of Piece Unique, a 20-year establishment in downtown Boise, says “Catering to customers with personal shopping services and online purchases through our new website has helped maintain sales.” 30
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