Back to Business – Piqua
Mainstreet Piqua
The Mainstreet Piqua team captures local business owners’ excitement at reopening with a photo series. The smiling business owners stand in the doorways of shops and restaurants holding “OPEN” signs with precautions listed underneath.
This photo series is one way Piqua businesses have responded and adapted to the restrictions of COVID-19. From encouraging the community on social media to practicing the flexibility typical of small businesses, Mainstreet Piqua has earned both revenue and community support.
The “Open” posters are the combined effort of Mainstreet Piqua, the local chamber of commerce, and the community development organization to prepare businesses to reopen.
“It has generated an incredible amount of traffic on our Facebook page and a lot of love for the businesses,” says Lorna Swisher, executive director of Mainstreet Piqua. “It’s been a very successful way to celebrate the reopening of the businesses.”
Prior to reopening, Swisher says local businesses incorporated local deliveries, online orders and shopping appointments into their business practices.
“The businesses all pivoted very well and really tried to meet their customers where they were at,” she says. “They just rolled with it and made it work for the customer.”
Swisher and the Mainstreet Piqua team have frequently reached out to their members through phone and email.
“As an organization, our goal is to support our businesses as much as we can and to encourage the community to realize the value that these businesses bring to the community,” she says. “When these businesses go away, a part of our community is lost forever.”
She says the local businesses are supporting each other; because they are independent, they know how difficult it is for a business to start out.
Local business owners are relieved to start opening their doors again. Swisher says people will come in and support the business if they know the business cares for the safety of their customers and employees.
“They all do genuinely care,” she says, “If they’re able to show that, I believe that they will be supported by the residents and visitors to the community.”