Small businesses ask Lincolnites to shop local for the holidays

Struggling businesses are hoping to see more community support over the holiday season to help keep them afloat as the pandemic continues.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Local shops and restaurants are continuing to flounder as the COVID-19 pandemic grips Lincoln and the surrounding communities. Between changing restrictions and rising case numbers, Lincoln businesses have struggled to make any kind of financial comeback since the initial shutdown in March.

In July, Barb Ballard, owner of the From Nebraska Gift Shop, said her sales were down around 30%. She says that now, four months later, things aren’t much better.

“We used to be open from 10 in the morning to nine at night, but there’s no reason to be open at night anymore, we’re closing at six,  we’ve shortened our hours up just because walk-in traffic, we’re not seeing it at all,” Ballard says.

“We are still down over 45% from this time last year. As orders come in, we’re hopeful but that’s just going to get us through December. You know, we have to buy the merchandise to be able to sell the merchandise.”

The holiday season is one of the last remaining hopes at surviving for many small businesses, during what we can only hope is the last wave of the pandemic. However, it’s after the holidays that is more concerning.

“We’re just really fearful for January and February after the holidays are done, people are done buying gifts, that’s a slow time anyway, but, is anybody even going to want to leave their house in January and February and come out?” Ballard says.

If it weren’t for her winery business, James Arthur Vineyards, and her understanding landlord, Ballard says her store might not be open right now. She says shopping locally is their request to community members.

“If you can buy what you’re going to purchase for gifts locally, we’re asking you to do that. Before you hit that order button on your computer, could you think, or call a local store to see if they have that product? That’s the only thing that’s going to keep local businesses up and running is if everyone does that.”

Ballard says the local government could be doing more, too. “We’re not asking for a handout,” she says. “But they have experts who could really help small businesses.”

As many turn to putting merchandise online and continuing phone orders and contactless pick-up, Ballard says help from the local Chamber of Commerce or any other experts when it comes to complicated and expensive things such as web design would be life-saving.