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November 25, 2020

Holiday shoppers urged to support small businesses

PHOTO | Pixabay.com
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

With so many small businesses struggling because of the pandemic, New Haven leaders are trying to attract holiday shoppers to help local retailers.  

Mayor Justin Elicker noted Wednesday that the city’s small business community continues to be challenged by the public health restrictions associated with COVID-19. 

“It has just been brutal,” Elicker said. “I have talked to local business owners, who have seen dwindling numbers of customers. We have heard their message loud and clear.”

According to Elicker, people have been shopping more online, but at retail giants such as Amazon.

“There are so many ways to buy local, and we don’t want to live in a New Haven where we have vacant storefront after vacant storefront.”

While Black Friday typically marks the beginning of the busiest shopping season, it remains to be seen how merchants will fare this year. Retailers in Connecticut currently are only allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.

On Wednesday, Elicker, business owners and community leaders highlighted ways which consumers can support small, independent retail businesses and restaurants this season, whether shopping in person or virtually.

L’épicerie Choupette is a new French market located at 24 Whitney Ave. in New Haven.

Steve Fontana, deputy director of the New Haven Economic Development Administration, Office of Business Development, said the community is pulling together with its “Shop Local, Shop Small” campaign. 

Shoppers may be wary of going to stores, but online shopping can help local businesses directly too. The Together New Haven Marketplace has links to over 50 city merchants’ web sites -- from bookstores to art galleries -- along with links to 60 service providers and for purchasing e-Gift cards.

Through the New Haven Holiday Passport Program, shoppers can get special passports stamped when they shop at participating retailers, then enter to win prize packs of gift cards with a total value of $950.

The Shops at Yale also has promotions underway, such as for free parking, hot cocoa, face masks and other treats with purchases. Visit theshopsatyale.com for complete details.

Also to attract visitors, the Town Green District is introducing “Socially-Distant Santa Photos,” starting Saturday, Nov. 28. Every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., all are invited to visit the Shubert Theatre’s outdoor plaza for free photos with Santa, free parking for the day, free giveaways and raffles and a free Business Promotion Postcard listing over 40 discounts and offers from local businesses. Visit www.downtownnewhaven.com/santa for more information.

David Lehman, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said small businesses have been hit harder than most during the pandemic.

“I have spoken with many of these business owners, and I am continually impressed with their determination to keep their workers employed and their organizations active during this incredibly challenging time,” Lehman said. “Right now, we need to be doing everything we can to support these local businesses.”

Lehman noted the country is celebrating Small Business Saturday this weekend. Lehman said he hopes people will make a point to support small businesses not only during the holiday season, but into the new year and beyond.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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