How to Support Small Businesses in Times of Crisis

Hello Friends! wanted to update you on the happenings of my business, Makers Market - we have been greatly impacted by the "Shelter-in-place" mandate in the Bay Area due to COVID-19.

To Our Makers Market friends & family:

As a small business owner, the recent “Shelter-in-Place” mandate for the Bay Area was certainly unexpected and unprecedented. As you know, most small businesses operate on a thread, especially retail businesses… so this will be a tough time for all small business owners.

As of today, our stores in Santana Row, Broadway Plaza-Walnut Creek, and Mill Valley Lumberyard are closed to the public. Our store in First Street Napa, next to the beautiful Archer Hotel, was not impacted by the mandate, so will remain open, taking the advised health precautions.We also understand most hotels and restaurants will remain open in Napa.

We are continuing to take online orders here at makersmarket.us and will fulfill those orders within 2 days. A great way to support us right now, would be to order online for upcoming birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, and other celebrations (including little gifts to yourself to “survive” at home!). You can also purchase Gift Cards online - either for a gift or for yourself to use in store once we reopen. We are also ramping up our email, Facebook, and Instagram efforts.

Please use discount code SHIPPING100 for free shipping on orders over $75!

Right now, I employ 20 people – we are a family, and have been for years. We’ve supported each other through various life challenges. This is another one of those life challenges. My intention is to keep my team employed as long as possible, because many of them need this income to live. We are spending this downtime conducting inventories, cleaning, fulfilling online orders, remodeling Mill Valley and Santana Row, and marketing. Some global retail chains have furloughed employees with no pay.

We also contribute significantly to the livelihood of over 500 artists and makers around the Bay Area, through our brick and mortar stores and outdoor craft markets. We will continue to order from them during this time, so they are also not forced to close shop (many of them have notified us they will need to close if we stop ordering) – as that would be a terrible loss to the San Francisco creative community.

I would encourage everyone to find ways to support your local businesses during this challenging time, so that when the mandates are lifted, those small businesses will have survived for your future enjoyment and will keep your Main Streets vibrant, personal, and colorful. Approximately 65% of jobs in the USA are provided by small businesses, and these will be most impacted.

But most of all, please stay safe, and we’ll see all y’all in person soon, with plenty of celebratory wine in the stores!

Suzy

PS – if you feel so inclined, we would love for you to SHARE and spread the word.