Mom & Pops - We Miss You

How many times have people said I miss that store next door? I certainly know I have said that repeatedly during the last 60 days of sheltering- in-place. Before COVID, many of us were spoiled and unappreciative of our neighborhood retailers. Gone are the days when we stroll freely in their stores without a mask and gloves and the scent of alcohol on our hands-- no fear, no shame in our game for having less than six feet of social distancing between us. In fact, some of us also enjoyed talking to strangers during our visits to our malls and local shops. But the truth is, I think we are going to be masking up for months to come, and I don’t think we will be attending large events or listening to music in our local parks soon.

I miss my life before COVID-- my local yoga studio, my hairdresser, the boutique in the strip center down the street. All shuttered and sad. I am trying to stay positive and pray they open soon.

I don’t know about all of you, but I miss those BOPIS days when I could order online from a store and pick it up in a few hours. I yearn for those days to return. If they do, I promise I will be kinder to my mom & pop retailer. I promise I will say thank you more often and I am going to tip my manicurist and massage therapist more than 25%. I hope you all make a big comeback soon.

My body needs a massage, my gray roots a color touch-up. My poor fingernails are filed down to little nubs—and they hurt! I can’t wait to see my old friends again. All of them have become part of my extended family.

As we continue to shelter-in-place, we all need to let our favorite service providers know we are here for them. My hairdresser said if we buy beauty products that helps. Now I buy and pick-up beauty products curbside. This won’t keep him in business long— but it is a small lifeline.

As I have said in my other posts, I will be kinder, more patient and promise not to forget how lucky I have been. I promise to be more appreciative when this is all over.

7 tips for more sales on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Source: ICSC, Retail Dive