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Many small businesses in Philadelphia are on the brink of failure. Although we’ve seen businesses forced to close their doors during the pandemic, a growing number of business owners in Philadelphia are quietly sitting on the brink of the storm. I’m afraid that we – the residents of the city and those who work within its borders – have underestimated the beauty of filling the streets with inner happiness and optimism in the local shops.
We don’t stop to think about what they need to survive. The answer, in many cases, is simple: Small businesses need our dollars.
Philadelphians, by and large, stopped shopping locally and shopping less. Instead, we often turn to showing our support for small businesses by scattering “likes” on social media. But without more individual commitment, deeper commitment and our dollars, small businesses will be forced to close. The vibe of our blogs is about to change and so will their aesthetic appeal.
It shouldn’t be like that. Imagine if each of us committed to investing 10% of our income in Philadelphia-based companies. What if we decided to support local makers and artisans with one out of every 10 purchases we make? What if we recognized the added value of our hard-earned money on our evening walks and daily commutes?
For many of my peers, this commitment is a lifesaver.
In a city that is over 43% black, less than 3% of Philadelphia’s businesses are owned by black people. For black women, the challenges are greater. A pledge to spend 10% locally — to buy into our values and preserve the energy that brick-and-mortar stores add to our neighborhoods — can be transformative for a city’s economy.
As a small business owner in the city, one of the joys I’ve come to associate with myself is the camaraderie I feel with those who know this adventure: a wild ride where we do our best to succeed every day. There is a risk of small business ownership and sometimes real loneliness.
Our city’s small business owners work seven days a week to manage inventory, cover coverage, protect our customer community and — in the age of social media — tell compelling stories as content creators. We are shop “keepers”. We also continue our desire to add what seems to be a unique flavor to the places where our products are sold.
» Read more: Black-owned businesses don’t have to take the pandemic to get support
After five years in business, I’ve come to find something sacred in that exchange. At my store, Grant Blvd, customers are drawn to the way my design team approaches clothing construction; In return, we promise to increase the texture of the Powelton Village neighborhood. I know from my bonds with other small business owners in Philadelphia that we are all concerned about our future. In particular, there is a growing sense of urgency to stay relevant, to repeatedly prove our worth, to survive.
Audre Lorde once wrote, “We’re taught that silence can save us, but it doesn’t.” Her conclusion is rightly confirmed. Silence won’t save us or our city’s small business landscape – only our steadfast commitment to loving them will. And when small businesses survive, the quality of all our lives improves.
Kimberly McGlone is the founder and CEO. Grant BlvdA sustainable fashion company. @kimberlymcglonn
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