We are so grateful.
I wanted to let you know. We feel lucky.
I wanted to thank all of you. It is no small feat that we have made it to the end of today, August 14, 2021 through this wild pandemic year. As we move towards hopefully a more normal future… I am forever grateful. We have made it this far and I am so thankful.
Thank you!
Thank you for the love, support, and check-ins. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to let you know how amazing you are. As our community grows, - it was you that has brought us here. So this is a short and sweet blog, just to tell you, I was thinking of you in the highest regard.
As I restart this blog which has been neglected for some time: I have decided that I would focus on ending each message with 3 - food-for-thoughts, take-aways or ideas… for you to take with you as plans of action or send me back your own. I would love to see all the ideas… because this is supposed to be a ripple, YOU are the wave!
Today, I am focusing my thoughts on the restaurants and small businesses. As we open up more there is still a huge struggle. Here is how you can continue to be an amazing support.
Practice patience and kindness. The past year has taken a toll. The people who remained in the restaurants and small businesses have worked really hard, while being very understaffed, and have been under high amounts of stress. The bills kept coming even when the restaurants were not allowed to serve people. They have had to shape-shift rapidly and that may have not always been smooth. They may crack from time to time, they may smile but be crumbling just a little inside. They really may just be exhausted. Be extra kind if you can to small business and restaurants, the employees, and management. You have a chance to brighten someone’s day today. How will you use it?
Remember it isn’t better yet. There is a staffing crisis. They are short staffed. To give you an example: Sanctuary Bistro was a staff of 10 and is now a staff of 4. Also, most restaurants and small businesses are trying to catch up, financially. They are probably still behind on bills. They are still holding their breath trying to make it. While we are free to roam about a little more continue to support your local small businesses. If something wasn’t awesome, write to the owners, or managers. Let them know. Let them try to fix it. In the world of online reviewing… follow the adage if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all at least as people get back on their feet and the world becomes more normal again. (Except to the people who can try to make it better, if they can.)
Share your favorite businesses posts or share pictures of their food or products suggest your favorites, etc. I have said this before and it may seem like a small thing but it is a huge help. It just helps businesses get reach, with algorithms dictating what is seen and by whom, you shift and change that paradigm.
-Jennifer