Shopping Small During COVID-19

UPDATE: Given mandated restaurant etc. closures, I am no longer recommending thoughtful outings, but I am sticking to my attempts to help small businesses in ways I can. Takeout and delivery when we choose to afford it, for example. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I firmly believe that if we do the hard things now, we won’t have to do them longer down the road.

I’ve always dreamed of living in and being a part of a community. I wanted it for myself and I especially wanted it for my family. I saw how much the town my mom grew up in takes care of its people and I yearned for it—to be known, to be cared for, even if it meant your personal dealings were often discussed.

I found community in my sorority in college and I took some of the people I met there with me when I moved to the big city after graduation. Over the years, our community dwindled and we went off to create our own families. We’re spread out now, but we still support each other as much as we can. After I had our first child and started my business, though, I began to feel isolated in our home in North Seattle. Something was missing and, as I’ve written here and there since we moved two exits up the 5, that something was Edmonds.

I love this little seaside town. I love its shops and its eateries and its old people and its sense of community. I love that it’s a designated arts district and that I can ride my bike to the farmer’s market May-October. I love that I can walk on to the ferry if I want to. I love that the library doesn’t charge me late fees.

So, in the midst of this weird and scary pandemic, I’m getting extra intentional about supporting its businesses. I know that my $30 takeout won’t save our favorite Chinese restaurant from closing due to loss of business, but I also know that if I share about my $30 takeout in the Facebook mom’s group with 16K members and on my social media channels, I might inspire another person to come in and spend some money, who might share with their friends who might come in and spend some money, too. Small things and small acts can become big things and big acts.

I’m not in a place where I can do anything huge. I’m worried about my babies and my money situation just like a lot of other people whose heads are spinning from everything Coronavirus + stock market fallout ++++. But I am keeping my spending close to home and thinking more about where it’s going. It feels like the least I can do.

So, this is my call to you: Are you spending in your community? Are you giving gift cards to your favorite little boutique that also happens to ship (Little Bipsy is a great example)? These are the places owned by the people in your pre-school pickup line. These are the places that build communities.

If you’re like me and easily feel out of control in the midst of one chaotic moment on top of another, consider what’s in your hands. I love getting hyper-local. I don’t love that the reason I’m doubling down feels scary and gross, but doing something small (and leaving the house!) feels reallllly good. Plus, it’s fun!

I hope you’re all staying safe and sane out there, and if you’re looking for a great soap for all your hand-washing, I shared my favorite recently. It, too, is a small brand that ships free with the Target Red Card (my favorite scents are Mango Coconut, Almond, and Lemon for the kitchen).