Sunday, November 29, 2020

An Open Letter to those who love Portland's small businesses

This is an open letter to anyone who loves Portland, Maine, and all its small businesses.  I have been thinking about writing this letter for months now, and finally feel like I have a moment to sit down and write out my thoughts.

Many of us love Portland in large part because of its creative and vital small businesses.  In conversations with customers since reopening my bookshop in mid-July, I have come to the realization that many folks, sequestered at home, remain unaware of the widespread changes in Portland's small business landscape brought on by this year's struggle with Covid and all its attendant threats.  

These small businesses, which form the backbone of Portland, and make it a stand-out community, have in most cases had a terrible year.  Many of us found ourselves considering whether we could or should keep our businesses functioning through Covid.  Some of our peers closed down for good.  Others are maintaining a modified version of their businesses, eking out a shoestring existence, trying to hang in there in spite of reduced means.  Some of us have been lucky enough to have assistance from kind customers, or government crisis loans.

I urge you to take a moment to think about the small businesses in Portland that you love.  Maybe it's your favorite Thai noodle place.  Maybe it's one of Portland's fabulously eclectic shops which stocks a wild mix of vintage items alongside their own handmade goods.  Or perhaps it's just the corner shop which makes your ideal egg sandwich. 

Whatever places you love, remember they have had to continue paying their bills all those long, bleak months.  Since March, owners have lost sleep, wondering if their business would survive, or whether it was worth it to put their lives and the lives of their employees on the line to make that happen.  We continue to worry over these harrowing questions every day, and over whether we are able to maintain a safe and reasonably risk-free way for our customers to shop.

More small businesses won't survive this winter, having barely survived 2020, the Year of Despair.

So if there are local places and unique creators that you love, think about them as you make your purchases, for both daily and special occasion needs.  
 
Your purchases make a big difference when you choose to buy local.  You help steer the course between life and death for Portland's small businesses, a large part of Portland's creative character.  You can help ensure some of Portland's heart and soul remains alive and beating to push through these next difficult months, and we promise to continue doing our best to help create a community we can all be proud of living in.

Thank you Portland!  Thank you Maine!
 
The Green Hand is currently open limited hours for browsing, 12:00-4:00 Weds-Sat.  For those at home or away, we offer easy pickup at the door, or mail order to your doorstep.
 
Be well and stay safe,
Michelle Souliere

Help us out by ordering new books here instead of through Amazon: https://bookshop.org/shop/greenhandbooks

Help us out by getting your audiobooks here instead of through Amazon-owned Audible: https://libro.fm/greenhandbooks
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