TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Tallahassee's local businesses are the places we take our families for dinner, or do a little shopping on the weekends, but many of them are feeling negative impacts due to coronavirus.
ABC27 is launching a new section to highlight businesses in the Big Bend and southwest Georgia that could use your support.
“If you can find somebody local, Tallahassee needs help right now,” said Kevin Jowers, the owner of Jowers Auto Service.
Jowers Auto Service has been in Tallahassee for 61- years, and Jowers says business has started to slow down.
”We can see a little of a decline now," said Jowers. "Phones not ringing nearly as much.”
Although he’s concerned about his business, he’s confident the community support that has kept his shop open for this long will keep it open in this tough time.
Jowers says he feels most for local restaurants like Island Wing & Company who have seen an 80-percent decline in sales.
”Just trying to stay busy enough that we can keep the doors open and keep as many of the employees employed as we can,” said Sam Osborne, the owner Island Wing Company.
The staff in good spirits, knowing Tallahassee will come through for them.
“The ones that we got working for us are just excited when they come in," Osborne said. "They’re really interacting with the customers, so it’s encouraging to see that kind of stuff going on.”
Another of Tallahassee's staples is staying positive. Capital City Pedicab is only taking appointments now, but Mike Goldstein is working to support his fellow local business owners.
”Stay strong guys, we’re still here, every time," Goldstein said. "I keep seeing people post about negativity and closing down. I’m like no, we didn’t get this far just by shutting down. We’re still going to figure this out and get through it.”
Businesses say they treasure their customers and can’t wait to get back in the swing of things.
There are also a couple of websites local businesses have been using to help each other out. One is TallyConnected.com and the other is Swellcoin.com/supportlocal.
