SAN LUIS VALLEY - 2020 has been a hard year for small businesses. With COVID-19 lockdowns many have struggled to survive and going out of business signs have become all too common. The struggle has also been felt by many of the San Luis Valley’s local businesses.

“It’s been tough,” said Bernadette Torres of Torres Floral in Monte Vista adding, “We appreciate our loyal customers that have been hanging in there with us. We did have to close for a little while last spring. But so far, we’ve managed,” said Torres although their revenue has been down. Torres also shared that she’s stocked her shop with gifts for Christmas and décor, fresh flowers, wreaths and garlands.

“Our community is such that they are aware of it and I feel like they’re doing a lot to help local businesses. We have a lot of people in our community that are staying loyal to hometown businesses to keep us afloat. Without them our doors would definitely be shut so it makes a big difference,” said Torres.

Treasure Alley in Alamosa is in their 25th year of business and say that this has been by far their most difficult year. Their business had to completely close down for six weeks this past spring creating a very tough start for their summer season. Due to the support of local shoppers they were able to reopen in May.

“And now again, this holiday season we are faced with the possibility of being closed down. That of course would be devasting to this business as we are a “gift store,” said Treasure Alley owner Carol Demlo. Demlo sharing that her shop has adequate space for customers to social distance and they are following all guidelines such as masks to ensure shoppers are safe in her store. “It is our fervent hope that we will be allowed to continue to operate. Small stores make towns interesting. We do not want to be a community of UPS trucks and Walmart. Support from our local community is literally the only way small local shops like Treasure Alley can survive,” said Demlo.

Wendi Seger who in addition to running her restaurant Locavores has also started a local store called, “Wendi’s Good Things Market.” Seger shared that being a small-business owner this year has been a rollercoaster. “We went from having control of the future of our businesses, to having very little,” said Seger.

When asked what it means for her as a small-business owner when people chose to shop locally Seger answered saying, “It means everything! This year, people may not realize it, but they are determining what the community will look like after COVID is gone. If they choose corporate owned businesses to shop at, that is what will be left. I’ve never been one to hammer people to shop local for local’s sake. I always have felt it’s my job to do better than the corporate owned businesses, to earn their business.

However, right now, when people are shopping local, it really encourages me to keep going. It’s just as much about knowing your business is loved and appreciated as it is bringing in revenue. We need that encouragement right now to just physically and mentally make it through this.”

Many small-business owners and local artisans who do not have physical store fronts who depend on craft fairs and events to sell their products have also keenly felt the hardships of 2020. Rosemary Bertin who is an Independent Designer with Origami Owl shared that 2020 has been a difficult year for her business. “It’s really hard. It’s hard for businesses with storefronts as well but when you don’t have a location, you’re relying on people to still have your business card. Or remember where you are, or even remember that you exist when they’re looking. Because normally people come to the festivals, fairs, and bazaars to look around and find things,” said Bertin.

Bertin shared that she’s had to get creative joining online expos like the one put together by SLV Voices. She’s also done curbside delivery as she has inventory locally and has tried to do some advertising.

When asked what it means for her when people choose local Bertin answered, “When they purchase from me it means so much because my business is what I use to help support my family. That’s what helps me pay my car payments. That’s what helps us buy Christmas gifts, is my small business.” Bertin also sharing that although small businesses like hers may not be able to compete with stores like Walmart and Amazon, they go above and beyond in offering amazing customer service.

As you get ready to do your Christmas shopping this year please consider shopping local. Ask your friends if they know of anyone local who sells or makes the products you’re looking for. When you shop local, you’re not only supporting a local business you’re investing in your entire community. SLV Support Local has a list of great local business that can be found here: https://slvsupportlocal.com/category/shop-online/?fbclid=IwAR2P0gpA9dh3mngZcmCR6zFJIt9wHVdj6am7l-UIogLHe4Q3sQX_qs4CgeQ