2020 has been quite the challenging year to say the least. Everywhere around the globe, the pandemic has forced store and restaurant closures and devastated many small mom and pop businesses. With the government holding off on the stimulus relief packages, more than ever, people rely on each other to weather these hard times.

How can one help, one might ask? Shopping at our local retailers and restaurants, and helping communities by giving them business is a good place to start. Whether it’s grabbing a favorite coffee at a local neighborhood joint, or picking up a candle at the quaint corner store, now is the time to indulge. Unlike big chain retailers, local shops do not have the financial backing of the big box stores to help them ride out this COVID-19 storm. Restaurants are suffering just as much as the retailers, if not more. As members of the community, people should continue ordering take out meals from neighborhood restaurants, and tip generously to help the staff offset their reduced wages. The experience of take-out dining services so far has been flawless, with faster turnaround times. Wait time for pick up orders are virtually nonexistent! Delivery services such as Doordash, Postmates, and UberEats have exponentially helped expedite door to door meal deliveries. Restaurants have really adjusted well to this new system of pick up and curbside deliveries. A Junior at Corona Del Mar High school, Pierce Hemphill, explained how his family carpet business has been dealing with COVID19 shutdowns saying, “Earlier this year during the mandatory stay at home orders, we had to shut down the showroom, but kept business going over the phone and with our online catalog. When we reopened, we were limited to showroom appointments only as well as required all to wear masks when entering. Since then we have been fortunate to have a medical grade air filtration machine in order to provide even more protection for the customers.

Retail stores in our community have had to trim down the fat, and run their businesses on skeleton crews to stay afloat. With the holiday season approaching, shopping locally is more important than ever. Failure to do so can result in one’s favorite shops permanently closing their doors. People are all hurting in one way or another, but supporting each other through these difficult times is crucial. Have faith that 2021 will be a new beginning, and until then, shop local and order take out!