A Year of Pandemic Eating & Shopping

Over the past year so many of us have made it a point to support our local restaurants and small businesses. Times have been tough for everyone but especially small business owners. Here, I wanted to give a shout out to some of the places my family and I have especially enjoyed doing business with but also places YOU have enjoyed doing business with. Here’s some quotes from y’all:

Reading over this feedback from all of y’all I’m reminded of the parts of quarantine that were kind of cool- in their own way. Seeing people rally around their favorite businesses, communities creeping up online as a way to give shout outs and support, and even trying businesses that were new or new to me as a means of trying to come together as a community. Of course, at that point, I don’t think any of us thought we would still be in it a year later.

But the community support is still there- and I know my family and I keep finding more fun places. Not just for the food but their owners, too. Places like Mini Dixie Donuts with all of their cute delights, The Transformation Spot and how they keep me moving, Acres & Oak for saving me during the week when I don’t want to cook, Dovetail during the holidays, Natalia’s for an amazing first date, and so many others.

And then there’s all of the cute clothes and jewelry from over the past year- I swear I haven’t shopped this much in I don’t know HOW long but Karats and Keepsakes, Rumor, Dani-Rae, Frankies, Mint Boutique…. all of them helped cure my quarantine blues and keep me cute over the past year.

Even though so many of us are getting our shots and it feels like life is moving on a bit… I have to wonder, will it ever be back to our old “normal” again?! No matter the outcome for that question, these small businesses still need and deserve our help. They’ve survived SO much, just like we all have. Let’s give each other a round of applause and continue to love on one another. These small businesses have allowed me and so many others to retain even a small sense of normalcy. They were there for us when we needed them. What places have helped YOU survive the past year?!

Love to all y’all,

Molly