As shoppers begin a big retail weekend, small businesses across the country are preparing for Small Business Saturday after what has been a difficult year for so many.
Small business owners all over D-FW have different stories about 2020, a year devastated by COVID-19.
Yesenia Hernandez opened Autumn Moon in Bishop Arts in August.
“We have apparel, home goods, candles, jewelry,” Hernandez said.
Her store is a collection of work from 24 women business owners across D-FW. She felt like she had put the work in to take a chance on starting her store now.
“A lot of people have told me, 'Well, good luck, you’re opening up during a pandemic,' or 'You’re brave for opening during a pandemic,' but I still feel inside, that I feel good about my decision,” Hernandez said. “I don’t regret it. I’m very happy with the results.”
Other business owners have had a much different experience this year. Ralph Williams is the owner of Hollywood 5 & Dime, and after 26 years, he’ll be closing in the next few weeks.
Williams has been dealing with health challenges in addition to the struggles of owning a business during the pandemic.
“This has been a long time coming for me. Most of this year has been disastrous,” Williams said. “I fell down the stairs and broke my hip on Memorial Day and I spent a month in the hospital.”
Regardless of their situation, both business owners hope you shop local and consider spending money on Small Business Saturday.
“I do encourage everybody to shop small,” Hernandez said. “We need any little support, even if it’s just, ‘Hey I really love your store,’ or just to know that you want us here, that makes us try harder to stick around.”
Williams hopes you stop by on one of his final days.
“We got a lot of stuff to clear out of here including pictures and whatnot so we’d be happy to see anybody.”