From Marilee Backstrand

Argyle

To the editor:

Buy gift certificates or pre-pay to support your local small businesses.

The small businesses near you will cease to be if you don’t pro-actively support them. You can buy a gift certificate or pay in advance for services or products you will receive later, similar to a CSA. Instead of community-supported agriculture, this is community-supported business. 

Think about this — there are many people and businesses out there you can support. Mail them each a check ($25, $50, $100?) requesting a gift certificate or just a credit for future services or products. Be sure to write a short note telling them why you appreciate what they do, and that you want to be sure they will be up and running when all this is over. 

So, who can you support? There are all the restaurants, bars, coffee shops, natural food coops and bakeries you patronize — they won’t make it very long on take-out orders only. There are the personal services you use — barbershops or hair salons, dog groomers, house cleaners, etc. And the professionals such as music teachers, counselors, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc. Then there are your local shops — car repair, computer service, independent bookstores or gift shops, etc. Any local business that isn’t a chain will need help. Even the local independent movie theater or opera house has bills to pay and no income. (Business owners: if you are not set up for gift certificates, just start a list of names and amounts. For bookkeeping purposes, the total goes under accounts payable.) 

We are isolated at home and wishing we could do something to help. This is something you can do that will make a difference. Do it now.