Small Business Saturday extra important to Austin businesses due to COVID-19

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The unpredictable past two years make this year’s Small Business Saturday particularly important for Austin businesses.

This year celebrates 30 years of Uncommon Objects, an Austin antique shop. The past 20 months have been one of uncertainty for the dozen of vendors working with the business.

“When you shop with us, we’re an antique mall so there are around 28 sellers, so you’re not just supporting a small business. They support about 28 small businesses, ”said Daniel Schmidt of Uncommon Objects. “So a lot of people in Austin benefit from shopping here. I think a lot of our regulars know this and really want to help us that way.”

Big Top Candy Shop talks about Souly Austin, Small Business Saturday

Souly Austin is a nonprofit economic development organization that highlights Austin’s diverse business districts and local businesses. FOX 7 Austin’s new Tierra Tree receives details from a store in the South Congress Street District.

Most of the small business ownership comes from Austin locals, so you know you are helping your neighbors.

According to the Small Business Administration, more than half of Americans own or work a small business. Small businesses create about two-thirds of the new jobs in the United States each year.

Not only is it buying local goods that will benefit the community, but local food is an important way to help too.

“Across the board, local business is great because most of your spending almost always goes straight to the community,” said Patrick Larussa of ATX Food Company.

Austin Independent Business Alliance talks about helping local businesses

Many companies, especially local ones, had to re-introduce themselves during the pandemic and received community support in the process. AIBA Executive Director April Ritzenthaler has more details.

Typically about 13% of every dollar spent in a chain store remains in the local economy. When you shop at a local store, 45% of every dollar stays in the community.

ATX Food Co. fed first responders during the deadly winter storm in February.

“You can rest assured that in Austin, many of these local businesses are buying from local companies that make fully organic products that you can trust the seasonal side when the products are shipped to you,” Larussa said.

Mr. Natural talks about Souly Austin, Small Business Saturday

Souly Austin is a nonprofit economic development organization that highlights Austin’s diverse business districts and local businesses. New FOX 7 Austin Tierra Building receives details of a store in East Cesar Chavez Street District.

The pandemic hit restaurants especially hard as it figured out new seating arrangements, ways to cater for customers al fresco with COVID restrictions, and the creation of new take-out options.

The Federal Reserve estimates that 200,000 more stores closed in the first year of the pandemic than in previous years.

For more information on how to support Austin businesses, please visit here.

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