COMMERCE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS -- Part 2

Main Streets, Business Improvement Districts and Downtowns Lead the Way

In an era when sit-down restaurants are reduced to curbside pickup or delivery only, in a challenging time when shops that relied on foot traffic are trying to adapt to online sales, BIDs, DDAs and Main Streets are using creativity and community collaboration to keep small businesses afloat.

Dionne Baux is Director of UrbanMain, a program of the National Main Street Center (NMSC) to empower under-resourced older and historic neighborhood commercial districts to restore economic vitality and promote quality of life. NMSC is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“The primary concern has to be the health and well-being of people.  That being said, if businesses are in a position to move aspects of their business to e-commerce shopping opportunities, that is certainly encouraged, as is delivery, curbside pickup, (encouraging patrons to buy) gift cards, etc.,” she said. 

“But until stay at home orders and congregation limitations are lifted, it will be difficult for non-essential small businesses to sustain themselves during this time.