West Reading Avenues Fall 2020 - 3

From the Borough Council President

T

o say the last few months have been challenging would
be an understatement. COVID-19 has forever changed
business as usual and has introduced new challenges to
small towns. To help, there have been a multitude of programs
introduced by the state and federal governments to help small
towns and small businesses navigate this crisis. To supplement
the government's support, our community needs to rally together
to support the local businesses we love.

A great place to start is by showing the love on social media.
Creating videos, tagging photos, checking in your location, and
using hashtags like #LoveWestReading are fun ways to promote
your favorite local businesses. Many businesses are adapting
to the current crisis by going digital; they are expanding their
social media presence or making their first foray into social
media. A quick post can attract attention and boost traffic to
their websites and pages.

Finally, and probably most importantly, we need to remember that
the pandemic has disrupted everything from our personal lives
to supply chains. Small business owners are struggling to keep
up with the new safety regulations, just like you. Remember to
be kind to the local business owners, retail workers, bartenders,
and servers. Being an empathetic customer could be the morale
booster someone needs to get through their shift.
Please join me in taking these small but powerful measures so
we can keep our local economy afloat. I'm looking forward to
seeing you on the Avenue. Cheers!
Jack Gombach
West Reading Council President

If you have had countless positive experiences on Penn Avenue
like I have, I encourage you to leave positive reviews on yelp!
and other platforms. Not only does it show recognition and
appreciation to the staff for their hard work, but it could help
local businesses attract new customers.
Business owners need a variety of professional services to
help them navigate new challenges, such as legal, accounting,
and web design services. If you are able and willing to offer
a free consultation for these services, it could greatly help
local businesses with their short-term needs and present an
opportunity to form a long-term business relationship.
Despite new regulations making it easier to dine at your favorite
restaurant or shop at your favorite boutique, you may still prefer
to stay home during this time. By purchasing gift cards, you
can help generate revenue for local businesses from home and
send a clear message that you are still supporting them and are
looking forward to shopping with them soon. You can also
spread the love by purchasing a small gift card for a friend and
asking them to pay it forward. Doing this with local friends
and neighbors can create a lasting ripple effect of support for
any business.
Your weekly grocery trip is another opportunity to choose
local. Going to a big box store for your groceries is easy and
convenient, but I encourage you to take an item or two from
your list and find a local alternative. Consider placing an order
with the local farmer's market or stopping by an artisan shop
for your soap.
visitwestreading.org

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http://www.westreadingdrug.com http://www.visitwestreading.org
West Reading Avenues Fall 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of West Reading Avenues Fall 2020
