AUSTIN, Texas – As small businesses across the country continue to suffer financial hits due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many are urging Americans to shop locally this holiday season.
Shelley Meyer owns four small businesses in Central Austin, including Toy Joy, which has offered a fun, eccentric, and nostalgic range of toys for both locals and visitors to Austin since 1987.
“Toy Joy is kind of an immersive experience, you know. It’s a very cluttered and fun store," said Meyer. “Our stores are very beloved and fun and it's great to get positive feedback in your job every single day from people that come in and greet you from all over the world.”
She takes a lot of pride in her stores’ unique personalities.
“That's the fun of retail, it's sort of like every day you're – you're creating your own culture, your purchases and things really speak to your customers and to the staff that you have," said Meyer. "It's not boring. And that's what Austin is. I mean, these stores are pure Austin.”
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, actually, and I’ve always loved the environment," said 18-year-old Ezra Rodriguez, Toy Joy employee. "It’s pretty cool actually being able to work here now. I feel like I’ve grown up with this place.”
But the pandemic has taken a heavy toll.
Meyer’s businesses are largely downtown and depend on tourists and business travelers.
“The pandemic has impacted all small businesses in Austin in terrible ways; we're no exception," said Meyer. "At this point we are just working hard to hang on, and one day at a time. I mean we've gotten over the shock and now it's just every day we do the best we can to stay in business.”
In addition to safety and sanitation practices, Meyer’s stores have adopted Zoom shopping, free curbside pickup, and delivery from their website, but it still isn’t enough to make up for all the business lost in the pandemic.
This year for the holiday season, Meyer is urging people to shop local.
“A lot of corporate stores – they have the deep pockets to weather this. Small retail like us do not, so we really depend on our customers to rally behind us at this time," said Meyer. "Our message is if you want us to be here next year, we’re asking you to shop with us this year and in whatever way you’re comfortable.”
“Stores like this definitely add character to this city," said Rodriguez. "Especially during this time we need all the support we can get so we can stay alive and, you know, keep selling toys, keep putting smiles on people’s faces for years to come.”