An outbreak like Coronavirus, or any natural disaster, can be devastating to small communities like Beaufort, SC. These individuals who work in and own small businesses may be forced to reduce staff and temporarily close their doors. The good news is that there is still plenty you can do to support them. Here are 6 ways you can support Beaufort’s small businesses today.
1. Order Takeout or Delivery
Your favorite restaurants may have had to shut their doors, but many of them still offer takeout or delivery. Check with the restaurant first, and if direct-delivery is not available, many services like Grubhub and DoorDash can help ensure safe and contact-less meal delivery. Delivery is NOT just for food either. Inquire about delivery service for many of your favorite retail items as many stores are offering limited in-person delivery for locals.
2. Buy Gift Cards
Do you want to inject some cash into a small business right now? Buy a gift card. Even if you aren’t buying anything else because you’re stuck at home, you can give your local shops or favorite restaurant a vote of confidence by spending even $25 on a gift card to use later, when things get back to normal.
3. Shop Local Businesses Online
Many local Beaufort, SC businesses have online stores in addition to their brick-and-mortar locations. Whenever possible, consider giving them your business. Keep in mind, that as long as you are buying from someone in your community, you’re helping to keep people (just like you) in their jobs and paying their bills.
4. Stay Home if You’re Sick
Don’t put others at risk if you’re sick. That seems like common sense, but consider using a delivery service if there’s something you really need. Many of the small businesses in your community are working hard to get through this. The last thing they need is for their employees to get sick because a customer went out when they shouldn’t have.
5. Be Patient
In many cases, businesses are working at a dramatically reduced capacity. There is a good chance that you may experience longer waits or encounter out-of-stock items. Every business is feeling that pain. They want nothing more than to be able to meet your needs. When they can’t, extend a little grace and patience, remembering that they’re working hard to stay open and serve their community.
6. Say Thank You
When you do go to the grocery store to buy what you need (as opposed to hoarding toilet paper), be sure to say thanks to the employees who are hard at work stocking shelves. It can be easy to forget that many of those employees are working overtime to keep their store clean and full of the food and supplies customers need. A simple thank you can go a long way to spreading a little gratitude and goodwill. Which, as opposed to spreading germs, is something we could all use a little more of right now.
Originally published by the Downtown Beaufort Merchants Association
Read: Restaurants, bars in South Carolina ordered to stop dine in service
Read: Local Beaufort businesses make adjustments in national emergency
Read: Hunting Island to remain open during national emergency
