Small Business Saturday 2020: Help Them Stay Afloat In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, CO — Colorado small businesses have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, making Small Business Saturday in 2020 more vital than ever. This year, the all-local shopping event falls on Nov. 28.

Independently owned boutiques, gift shops, mom-and-pop hardware stores, restaurants and the like in Lakewood are facing unprecedented challenges due to coronavirus-related restrictions and shutdowns. Franchises also help to keep many Colorado families afloat — and those businesses are also struggling.

If you're searching for holiday gifts, services or dining, you can find a map of Lakewood small businesses here.

The Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park Museum Store is working with the city’s Washington Heights Arts Center to showcase local artists this holiday season. The shop will be open on Fridays and Saturdays in December. Each weekend will feature a different collection of artists. The morning from 10 to 11 each day will be reserved for seniors and those who are at-risk.

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Temporary closures, capacity restrictions, decreased demand for products and services and delays due to supply-chain issues have led to unprecedented challenges for small-business owners.

Sixty-two percent of small businesses in the United States need to see sales income return to the same rate it was pre-pandemic before the end of the year to stay in business, according to a survey conducted by American Express.

Since 2010, local business supporters have spent more than $100 billion on Small Business Saturday, the report shows.

The Shop Small Consumer Impact survey found that 73 percent of people think empty storefronts are a national issue, and 84 percent agree the increase in empty storefronts and the closing of small, independently owned businesses negatively affect their local communities.

When consumers are aware of the impact of spending their dollars locally, 75 percent said they would be more likely to purchase a product or service from small, independently owned businesses, the survey shows.

For every dollar spent at a U.S. small business, approximately 67 cents stays in the local community, according to the report.

That amounts to about $67 billion that has stayed in local communities since Small Business Saturday began.