COVID-19 has impacted business globally, but for local mom-and-pop shops across Long Island, they have been hit twice as hard.
Between the impact of online retailers, plus big box stores, the pandemic has made it even more difficult to make a sale for these smaller businesses.
When people shop small, the sales tax goes right back into the local economy. The community depends on these stores to make the village look great, while also supporting a neighbor.
That’s why on Thanksgiving weekend, Small Business Saturday immediately followed the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, with hopes to bring revenue into the smaller stores.
All weekend long throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, local shop owners gleamed with hope that customers would continue their holiday shopping “small” and keeping these businesses afloat.
Here’s what some small business owners had to say:
Madison’s Niche, 83 Main St., Stony Brook/14 Wall St., Huntington
Madison’s Niche, with four locations throughout Long Island, is a lifestyle boutique that sells everything from baby onesies to UGG boots to home décor.
At the Stony Brook Village Center store, director Carolynn Mertens said that they did “fantastic” this past holiday weekend.
“We’re up in sales,” she said. “We’re very grateful to be up, and we didn’t think it was going to happen, but we’re very lucky.”
From Friday to Sunday, Mertens said she saw dozens of people shopping with their holiday lists in hand, while a lot of people were even shopping for themselves.
“I think people want to support small businesses,” she said. “They don’t want to see any more empty stores in their community and are trying to keep our mom-and-pop stores alive.”
Compared to a big box store or the mall, Mertens believes that customers feel more comfortable shopping in her stores.
“Our stores are easy to shop in,” she said. “We can maintain social distancing and we are constantly disinfecting.”
Rose & Boom Boutique, 176 N. Country Road, Mount Sinai/412 N. Country Road, St. James
Cat Rosenboom, owner of Rose & Boom in Mount Sinai and St. James, said that supporting local business is more important than ever.
“I always say to shop small,” she said. “But it’s even more true this year.”
Rosenboom, who has owned the Mount Sinai location for four years this month, opened her second store in St. James nearly six months before the stay-at-home shutdown.
“We had just opened up and then had to close the door once we started to get our name out there,” she said.
But despite the coronavirus crisis, she said people were shopping and supporting her stores throughout the whole pandemic, by purchasing things online through her social media accounts. She delivered them personally to customers close by.
“You get a personal experience here that you won’t get at a big box store,” she said. “We take pride in getting to know our customers and their families.”
Rosenboom said she and her colleagues at the stores are constantly donating and hosting fundraisers for people in the community.
“We want to give back,” she said.
Known for their trendy women’s clothing, unique accessories and fun gift ideas, Rose & Boom receives new arrivals every day, so styles are always changing. She also will host local retailer pop-ups to support fellow small business owners.
“We like to help local retailers and get the word out about their business,” she said.
Leading up to Black Friday, the shops did daily surprise sales every day in hopes to bring people in — and it worked.
“We allowed 10 people in the stores at a time, and they were busy the entire day,” she said.
TandyWear, 89 Commack Road, Commack
TandyWear has been in business for over 20 years and owner Tandy Jeckel said shopping at her store is a safe and fun experience, especially during these unprecedented times.
“We’re on a first-name basis with our customers,” she said. “You’ll get a personalized experience — we have an amazing team, amazing stylists, we’ll find your style.”
Jeckel said that this past Saturday was the best Small Business Saturday they have ever had.
“It was amazing,” she said. “We had so much foot traffic. It was great.”
Known for their dressy wear, comfy wear, going out wear and trendy wear, the store has something for everyone.
“We get new styles daily, and we sell masks to match,” she said.
Throughout the holiday weekend, Jeckel said she offered doorbusters and 20% off the entire store.
Jeckel thinks people are gravitating toward the smaller shops because the big box stores are also competing with online retailers and are closing due to them.
“The big box stores aren’t around anymore,” she said. “You have a few small chain stores, and then us.”
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