Business owners in the area are feeling the financial impact from two back-to-back weekends of harsh winter weather, forcing many to close their doors temporarily.
The impact has been particularly severe for those in the service industry, where employees depend heavily on tips to sustain their livelihoods.
“A lot of guys have rent to pay soon, a lot of guys are paying off holiday credit card debt. So I really feel for them,” said Brent Thompson, co-owner of Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh. “I’ve reached out to all of them these last couple of days as we prepare for this weekend, and we will help them the best we can.”
The closure of businesses not only affects immediate earnings but also has a ripple effect on the business’s margins.
“We closed on Saturday last week, so obviously, we took a financial hit there. We would like to open this Saturday; we’re watching the forecast very closely. But it looks like we’re going to have to close our doors again,” Thompson said.
Retailers are also feeling the sting of lost business since weekends often account for a significant portion of their weekly sales.
“Saturday and Sunday are our biggest days of the week, so when you lose even one of those days, it’s a big deal,” said Pierce Rogers, co-owner of Pallbearer in downtown Raleigh.
Rogers said every transaction counts for small businesses. He said there are other ways to support small and locally owned businesses when they are forced to close their doors due to the weather.
“A lot of businesses downtown have websites, gift cards, and things like that,” Rogers said. “We are really grateful to the customers that choose to support us even when they can’t visit us.”
WRAL News has also reported other Triangle businesses working to encourage customers to support local by offering deals and incentives.
Local business owners stress that the weather disruptions serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting locally owned businesses. When conditions prevent businesses from welcoming customers in person, the community’s engagement during other times of the year can make a difference in keeping them afloat.
