Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Support Local Business

BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST

December 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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

January is typically the slowest month for restaurants and on-foot retail, even in a normal year. Shoppers may have the luxury of saying they'll shop later. But these businesses can't wait.

-Jenn Hensley, Downtown Boise Association Executive Director

To accommodate different kinds of shoppers, Hensley says stores are innovating with FaceTime shopping and personal shopping appointments. While the news dwells on anti-mask protestors, downtown is largely peaceful and businesses are striving to protect the health and safety of their customers. The downtown is still alive and happening this winter, Hensley insists, just differently. Mask-up and dine-in or participate in Dine Out Boise where restaurants offer specials via takeout and creative, outdoor dining options. “If you want to grab dinner, there are free, 20-minute parking spots downtown so you can run in. There are places that will run food out to your car and restaurants with tented outdoor seating. We want to make sure that everybody can support small business,” says Hensley, “whatever their comfort level.”

Despite the fact that many businesses are struggling, Boise’s small-business community shares an exemplary spirit of charity, donated money, time, and items to organizations around them. “I’m just hopeful that those with income that hasn’t been affected as much are feeling the need to support them too,” she says.

And remember, there are more ways than money to support your favorite Boise establishments. Small businesses prosper through social media recognition and online reviews, which helps guide moneyed tourists where to spend. So, start posting! And remind others to do the same. “Every time we lose a business, people comment that they wish they would have known they were hurting and supported them more. I’m telling you right now–these places are hurting, and it’s important that if you love something, please show it. Right now,” Hensley adds.

Luckily, locals have been fairly generous. Yes, Boise has said goodbye to some beloved businesses, not only in downtown. However, storefronts are still being rented, and Boise has welcomed some new folks. Hensley is hopeful every downtown business will survive into the morepromising 2021, despite the fact the beginning of the new year will be tough and telling.

“January is typically the slowest month for restaurants and on-foot retail, even in a normal year. Shoppers may have the luxury of saying they’ll shop later. But these businesses can’t wait. If you want to see them in the future,” Hensley emphasizes, “Put your money where your heart is.”