Local businesses facing economic hardships early into new year

Some local businesses in St. Joseph closed or announced plans to do so recently, while others are fighting to get through the winter.

It is common for businesses to budget and predict when they may experience less foot traffic, which falls in the winter for many.

“At the end of the year and Christmas, people are deciding they want to diet, you know, and the weather sucks,” Crumbly Burger owner Stephanie McGarry said.

Business slowed down enough for McGarry that she issued a call for customers through a post on Crumbly Burger’s social media account following January’s blizzard.

“The week before, it had been so dead because of the blizzard that we did maybe a third of what we normally do, which is not enough to even pay the bills,” she said.

Some local businesses in St. Joseph closed or announced plans to do so recently, while others are fighting to get through the winter.

It is common for businesses to budget and predict when they may experience less foot traffic, which falls in the winter for many.

“At the end of the year and Christmas, people are deciding they want to diet, you know, and the weather sucks,” Crumbly Burger owner Stephanie McGarry said.

Business slowed down enough for McGarry that she issued a call for customers through a post on Crumbly Burger’s social media account following January’s blizzard.

“The week before, it had been so dead because of the blizzard that we did maybe a third of what we normally do, which is not enough to even pay the bills,” she said.

The post had more than its intended effect, with Crumbly Burger enjoying its best week ever.

“After the post, in a day and a half, we did what we did the whole week before,” McGarry said. “People really came in and showed up. They helped.”

These struggles are not exclusive to the restaurant business. Toe Beans Coffee House closed in late December, Dick’s Bait & Tackle closed in January, Time Out Entertainment Center announced the closure of its play area in January and Felix Street Pub is closing at the end of February.

“After the holiday season, along with the winter season, that’s when it can be really difficult for many businesses,” Annette Weeks, owner of Aspire Business Consulting, said. “And that’s why you tend to see that when businesses close their doors.”

One of McGarry’s solutions to the recent business slump this year was to give another delivery option to customers through online food delivery company DoorDash.

“You’ve got to try to change with the times,” she said. “We got DoorDash to help, and it actually is helping.”

Customers also are helping to keep business rolling by intentionally spending money locally.

"I like to keep my dollars locally,” Crumbly Burger customer Brenda Lebsack said. “I think that's imperative for our community and that we keep our dollars in our small businesses, whether it be eating establishments or shopping establishments."

But it’s not just foot traffic that business owners need to consider. There are other factors in the rising cost of operating a business.

“I think that insurance is an issue,” McGarry said. “Taxes are an issue, and utilities are through the roof too, so I mean, it's everything, it’s not just one thing.”

Weeks said there are always challenges that business owners must stay ahead of, which include being well-rounded. A couple of the tips she provides for entrepreneurs include creating a realistic budget and committing to regular business accountability by evaluating.

“You’re always having to stay ahead of the game, and it’s hard to do that,” Weeks said.

Weeks also said business owners should make sure they are surrounding themselves with people who can help them because the experience can be isolating.

Businesses are nothing without their customers, and Weeks reminds them that entrepreneurs bring identity to a community, create jobs and keep money local.

“Make that extra effort to support the local businesses because it is very challenging, especially at this time of year,” Weeks concluded.