OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – Kenny Williams owns Mosaic Restaurant and six other businesses in Ocean Springs that closed for the winter storm.
“It was beautiful,” he described. “We liked looking at it, but it was catastrophic for our employees because our employees live on their hours and on their tips, and we can’t pay them if we are not open.”
Ocean Springs is comprised of several small businesses. When they’re forced to shut down unexpectedly, it can take a toll on the local economy.
“Two days revenue is always big for a small business,” explained Duncan Perkins, owner of Try Hard Sports. “We don’t get a lot, so two days is a big deal.
“Bigger businesses like Walmart and Target aren’t going to suffer from shutting down for three days, but smaller businesses that support the community and ambiance of Ocean Springs really do have a heavy impact from events like this,” said Charisma assistant manager Catherine Rios.
“It drives me insane to people standing in line at chain restaurants,” added Williams. “They don’t need your money.”
Ocean Springs Chamber CEO Cynthia Sutton says now is the time small businesses need support.
“It’s really important to get out over the next few days and over the next few weeks to visit those businesses and help them kind of come back to life after the snowstorm,” she states.
“Support your local businesses first, support them second, support them third,” said Williams. “Eat local, shop local, support local.”
Williams says the dollars you spend turn over many times in the community.
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