The people who have worked so hard to remain open for take out; the ones who selflessly offered free and discounted meals to our first responders; the families which continued to keep their staff working while standing outside to take orders, make deliveries and remain in business. Over the weekend several places near us made the difficult decision to close for several weeks due to the a decline in visitors and now with the mandatory stay-home restrictions in effect. We looked at each other last night while talking, knowing some of these proud families and entrepreneurs will not come out of this latest challenge unscathed - some of these doors may simply never reopen and those which do may be carrying a heavier load of debt and financial burden.
It reminded me once again that the priorities of our society must change, that our focus must be steadfastly directed towards these places upon their return; that we must get in our cars and go to their assistance and spend locally, at the shops and eateries nearby. Those of us who chose to abandon area businesses in favor of online orders - well, maybe this is as wake up call for you. Seeing the complaints of friends affected by lack of chewy.com shipments, scrambling to find a similar pet food around here because they'd chosen to sever ties with the family-owned pet supply store in our area made me wonder if the few dollars saved were really so meaningful after all. When you could have known and supported the people right here all this time, why didn't you? When the local grocery store faced a decline in sales because so many of you followed the herd of friends and family to Amazon, why did you not remain loyal to the company who puts their name on the back of your kid's Little League shirt; holds a community fundraiser for the couple who lost everything in a fire; employs countless residents and offers the experience of a first job to teenagers?
Maybe it's time to pause and think, to measure and reflect upon priorities and choices. I know I'm more grateful today for the relationships cultivated with our local businesses and neighbors, and I don't have a sense of loss being isolated from the arrival of another shipment of boxed orders. Maybe you'd find the same peace and solidarity in your own community that we are fortunate enough to have right now, because being loyal to local isn't a phrase but a way of life. Please be mindful and consider shifting towards living and doing business with the people you know. It matters more than you may think.
Andrea B.
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