LAFAYETTE — Right now, retailers, small and large, are getting ready for the busiest shopping days of the year.
Because of the pandemic, small businesses are especially relying on their community's support.
Lafayette's Caroline & Company will open at 7 a.m. Friday for early bird shoppers, and their specials will continue on Saturday.
"Well, I think this year is different for everybody. It's different for us as store owners and workers as well as the shoppers," explained Charlotte Cryer, the owner of Caroline and Company. "We're doing everything we can to accommodate our shoppers in a safe environment."
Those safety changes include online ordering and in-store pickup.
"It's a lot of our local customers who just find it easier and safer to maybe shop from home, but we still offer complimentary gift wrap and all the things that they come to love from Caroline and Company," said Cryer.
The Backpacker is also implementing curbside pickup this year as a result of the pandemic.
"With basically no interaction where you pay everything online, drive up, let us know you're here, and we'll bring it straight out to you ready to go," said Andrew Rabalais, a manager at The Backpacker.
The staff at these small businesses say when you shop locally, your money stays in your community.
"We make it a priority to shop local," said Rabalais. "Not only do we encourage it here, but we shop local as well, so it's kind of a revolving door. The money goes right back into our community, and that's what we care about more than anything."
If you have a favorite business, call them. See how you can help from the safety of your car or home.
It's another way you can help them stay afloat during this trying time.
