I am consistently inspired and awed by the innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs. Oakland is often rightfully lauded for being a community that cares – cares about its neighbors, businesses, and community. As we navigate our way through these unprecedented times, our local businesses are also facing unprecedented challenges. Yet, even in these times, our local businesses are continuing to be innovative, caring and serving their community.
Here are just a few examples from Lakeshore:
- As part of Hospital Feed ER, Miri Levy, owner of Holy Land, made dozens of meals for Highland Hospital ER staff and, when Hospital Feed ER had car issues, loaded and helped deliver the food in her own truck.
- Shakewell is helping the community access fresh vegetables by being a drop-off point for Star Route Farm’s CSA (customers can order veggie boxes online and get their boxes at Shakewell on Wednesdays, 11:30 am – 7:00 pm) AND Shakewell is still making amazing food and cocktails for pickup and delivery during Shelter-in-Place
- Hipline has created a FOR MY SIS program in order to serve participants who may be in financial distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The way this works is that they are matching them with Hipliners that have expressed interest in supporting their sister Hipliners by paying for their classes. If you would like to participate in the FOR MY SIS program either as a donor or as a recipient, please go to this Linktree site or email community@myhipline.com. As Hipline says “Here’s our opportunity to put our hands out, grab one another, lean in, and celebrate sisterhood!”
How to Support Local Businesses During Shelter-in-Place
The Lakeshore Business Improvement District and the Splash Pad News are doing what we can to direct you to nearby food sources while also assisting the locally-owned neighborhood businesses we value so highly. Please note that the information we’re providing isn’t complete and will be evolving over time – as is the case with COVID-19 virus and its effects. Accordingly, this web page will be updated regularly and we also encourage you to follow us on social media: Lakeshore BID Facebook; Splash Pad Facebook; Lakeshore BID Instagram.
For the Cliff Notes spreadsheet version, please click on THIS LINK.
The Power of Local Spending
As consumers and a community that loves our local businesses now is a good time to remember the power of local spending. When you support a local business, the money you spend has a large economic return for the local community. Each dollar spent locally has a direct impact when a local business hires employees; an indirect impact (for example, when businesses spend locally made money at other businesses); and an induced impact when money spent at local businesses recirculates (for example, their employees support other community businesses). Ten studies on the “local multiplier effect” (from money spent supporting local businesses) found an average, 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally (Source: AMIBA).
All of these impacts are in danger during our public health crisis, as are the local businesses that thrive on our support. While we are in crisis, this can be buffered, at least some, by supporting the local businesses with the creative options they have provided. Please remember that when you order takeout, delivery, goods, gift cards or give to an urgent Employee Relief Fund, your dollar is supporting that business and all the positive exponential local economic ramifications beyond it.
We are fortunate to have creative businesses to help make this fun! If you can spare a dime, you will be rewarded with not only knowing the awesome local impact of your dollar, but also enjoy wine, chocolate, books, spices, toys and more to enjoy during Shelter-in-Place and gift cards to celebrate with the businesses when this crisis subsides. Looking for more ways to support local businesses? Show your support for local businesses below with the Bingo Game above from Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce with more fabulous ideas.
Ready – Set – Go!