15 Ways To Support Local Small Business During THE Shutdown

A lot of Augusta-area small businesses are feeling a financial strain right now, and we're are worried about their future too.

But if you need to buy something, shop local store first. If you still have an income, try ordering from your favorite local restaurant once a week. Here are 15 other ways to support your local businesses:

1. Many restaurants are offering delivery and pickup, but check for delivery options at places other than restaurants. Your local toy store, flower shop, bookstore or clothing boutique may not have their usual storefront, but many are providing delivery or curbside pickup.
2. Buy gift cards or credit for later from your favorite restaurants, stores, hair salons, spas, childcare providers and hardware store.
3. Share local restaurant delivery menus on your social media pages
4. Check with the businesses you frequently shop with. They may have altered their services to fit the temporary ‘new normal’. For example, your local cleaners now may provide a disinfecting service, or maybe a toy store is now selling homeschool supplies.
5. If you still have steady income and the financial means to do it, continue to pay your cleaning people, hair stylist, nanny, etc. They need us and we need them.
6. Check to see which of your services/providers are now being provided online. Therapists, tutoring, yoga, personal trainers, coaches, financial planners, lawyers, music classes for kids - all of these can be continued through videos or online conferencing.
7. Tip service workers extra.
8. Keep paying your memberships and subscriptions, even if they’ve been temporarily suspended.
9. If you or your child already paid for a class that was cancelled, instead of a refund, donate that lost money to the organization.
10. Join a local business network, like the CSRA.co Business Group where people can engage with local businesses remotely.
11. Are you a website designer, developer, or a social media expert? Offer your services to local businesses that don’t have an online presence to help them sell and promote online.
12. If you learn of a unique promotion or idea from a local business, share with other businesses in the community. 
13. Share hoarded sanitizer and supplies with local businesses.
14. Start an online contest / drawing for local business gift cards and services. 
15. Just give a donation. Cash is always appreciated.