Small businesses in our area are already starting to feel the economic impact of COVID-19. With many individuals taking refuge within their homes from the virus, it leaves small business owners with a lot of uncertainty about how they will keep their business afloat and provide for themselves and their families.
Carolina Trust has put together a list of ways that you can continue to support the local businesses in our area.
1. Order Food for Delivery or Take Out from Local Restaurants
After Govenor McMaster released an executive order closing all dine-in restaurants, many restaurants took the initiative to enhance their carry out services, instead of closing their doors. Check out the restaurants in Horry County,Georgetown County, Brunswick County and Florence County who are offering carry-out or delivery services, and enjoy your favorite meals from home, while we're practicing social distancing.
2. Buy Gift Cards to Use Later
Do you know anyone with a birthday coming up that you've put off buying a gift for? Maybe with warmer weather around the corner you'll need some new shorts or a bathing suit. Now is the perfect time to buy gift cards from your favorite local boutiques or restaurants that you can use once you're able to get out of the house. Although you may have to wait a while to use them, many local business owners need your help now, more than ever.
3. Leave a Review
Hop on Yelp, Google or any other popular business review site and leave your favorite local business a positive review. Not only will the review help boost the business owner's morale, it could help the business grow its ratings and draw in more customers once its able to reopen it's doors.
4. Reschedule
Although many of our local service providers have temporarily closed in order to keep themselves and their clients safe, try to reschedule your appointments for a later date instead of cancelling or requesting refunds. Although there is a lot of uncertainty in how long business will have to remain closed, you can commit to supporting them whenever they are able to reopen.
5. Like, Comment and Share
In a time like this where social distancing is a key priority to ensuring your safety and the safety of those around you, social media gives us the ability to connect with one another. When you like, comment and share your favorite local business, you are able to give the business exposure to new customers that may not have heard of them before. The exposure from a few extra people may be exactly what your favorite local business needs to get back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic is over
