Photo by TDM Photography
Local businesses are critical to the livability of a neighborhood -- and their benefits go well beyond the goods or services they provide.
Patronizing small businesses keeps the local economy afloat, as locally owned businesses recycle much more of their revenue back into the community than large chains. Their construction and maintenance typically require less infrastructure than a large corporation requires, and small businesses tend to use public services more efficiently, making them more environmentally sustainable in many ways. Small businesses tend to provide better wages and support the economic and social relationships of the community.
Due to COVID-19, many local restaurants and businesses have already lost massive amounts of revenue and will likely continue to struggle. This is especially true for Black, brown, and women owned businesses.
Celebrate and support your favorite local restaurants or businesses in one or more of the the following ways:
- Dine outside or order take out at a women or BIPOC owned restaurant you haven't visited previously. Extra credit for walking or biking to the business.
- Donate to, or buy a gift certificate from, one of your favorite local businesses.
- Share a memory or photo from a local business on social media and encourage other people in your networks to support local businesses.
How do I get credit for participating?
Follow the instructions in each activity and share your participation with us on social media! Tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram and use the hashtags #TourDeStreets2020 and/or #TourYourStreets to enter in your submission for points. If you don’t have social media, you can also email your submissions to [email protected]. You will receive 1 point for each activity you participate in, and participation in certain activities is eligible for prizes (ex. street haiku contest).