By Chloe Morales | Staff Writer

   Convenience and affordability are typically the two main demands of consumers. However, with the holiday season here, shoppers must realize that getting gifts easy and cheap is less important than supporting small businesses in need.

   Due to COVID-19 in the United States, according to Fortune, “more than 97,966 businesses have permanently shut down”. Up until recently, outdoor dining, hair salons, and retail stores were open to provide relief to non-essential businesses. Since Los Angeles County enforced a second mandated lockdown, small businesses run by families and hard-working individuals are at risk of closing down once more.

   Meanwhile, companies like Amazon have only gotten wealthier during the pandemic. According to The Verge, as a result of the lockdown “Amazon doubled its net profit,” earning $5.2 billion compared to $2.6 billion in 2019.

   With these companies dominating the marketplace, it is clear small businesses need support from shoppers.

   According to ABC7, a Facebook page named SGV Eats emerged in April to keep small food businesses afloat in the San Gabriel Valley. The founders of the page are food fanatics in their thirties who wanted to help struggling businesses garner potential customers through an online platform. Presently, the page has over 31,000 members.

   Joseph Badaro, the owner of Hummus Labs, is surrounded by a community of small business owners who use SGV Eats to market their restaurants. He expresses gratitude as the members on the page account for 75% of his customers.

“Without the SGV Eats Facebook page, I probably would have shut my doors already,” Badaro stated to ABC7. 

   Similar to SGV Eats, many small businesses use online platforms to advertise their products. Instagram and Tiktok have become the fastest and easiest way to lure customers, as anything that goes viral can attract millions of users.

   Shopping for gifts while supporting small businesses might be challenging for those on a budget. However, there are plenty of creative and affordable options on platforms like Etsy. On the website, shoppers can find a plethora of handmade items and products such as jewelry or clothing from artists around the world.

   An alternative to online shopping is taking a stroll in the neighborhood. This allows shoppers to discover hidden gems and explore small businesses in their communities.

   Overall, when consumers buy food from a restaurant chain or products from a large business, their money is only making the head of that company richer. The opposite is true when buying from small businesses, as the money helps support families and the local community. Therefore, it is important to shop small this holiday season to make a big difference.