When the Snow Clears, Let’s Rally Around Local Businesses

You know the weather is intense when the bars keep it closed. For many local Lubbock businesses, the owners made the commendable call to lose a day or two of business to keep their employees and customers safe while road conditions remained dangerous. I think it is these businesses we should support first after the ice melts.

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Why Local Businesses Feel the Impact of Winter Weather

For chains, they have the corporate infrastructure to weather a few bad days of... weather. For a small, independent place, it is not unusual to run on razor-thin margins, meaning that the loss of a day or two of business can be devastating to their bottom line. For restaurants and bakeries, January is already a tough month due to resolutions, so this extra hit is likely being felt hard.

What Happens After the Snow Clears

Melted ice doesn't mean an immediate bounce back to business as usual, as many potential customers are also playing catch-up at their jobs. Also, some folks will need to stay home and drink those eight gallons of milk and ten loaves of bread they bought (seriously, why did they do that?). The financial losses our local businesses are feeling may take weeks to be fully absorbed, even if we do show up. Additionally, for tipped employees, they'll need your help as the end of the month (and all its bills) is just around the corner.

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When the roads are clear and daily routines return, local businesses are still counting on their community. Choosing to shop, dine, and support local helps ensure that Lubbock’s small businesses remain strong, resilient, and ready for the next season. A simple decision to go local can make a lasting difference long after the snow is gone.