LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – While big-box stores saw shelves cleared out last week with people scrambling for supplies, small businesses in Lubbock say they were hurting over the weekend after the winter storm forced them to close their doors.<\/p>\n
Meredith Ratke, who owns Caffeination Station, had to close her coffee shop early Friday when ice and snow covered the area. She took it day-by-day after that, ultimately losing out on more than two days of sales.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of those things that you never want to have to close because as a small business, Saturday is one of our biggest days because nobody\u2019s in school. Everybody\u2019s out treating themselves after a long, hard week,\u201d Ratke said. \u201cBut I want you to be safe and I want you to be warm was the biggest thing. And I didn\u2019t want people hurting themselves to come get our coffee,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, owner of Hub City Organics across the street, faced the same dilemma. He said he would have preferred to stay open, if possible, but he has college-age employees he didn\u2019t want to have to be out on the roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it was up to me, I probably would have just stayed here. I probably would have just made a bed in the back of the shop, and just stayed here for those two days,\u201d Fitzpatrick said.<\/p>\n
Both owners said losing two days of sales makes a significant impact on their operations. Fitzpatrick said every transaction matters for small businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a small business like we are, every customer that walks in our door matters. Every sale at our cash register matters. That makes a big difference for us at the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of the month. We really depend on every single sale that we have,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hub City Organics supports 11 different small businesses inside the store, carrying products from fresh milled flour and raw honey to sourdough baked locally. Fitzpatrick said the closures affected not only his business but also the other vendors.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only does that affect us and our bottom line, but it also affects the other people that\u2019s on our shelves as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fitzpatrick said each product in his store represents a local family, and small businesses need community support regardless of weather conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur economy is just in a weird spot right now. Last year, our sales dipped some. And I think that\u2019s just our economy because I talk to other small businesses and the other businesses that we carry and everybody\u2019s been affected by it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ratke said rising costs have created additional challenges for her coffee business.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially coffee, the price of beans has escalated so dramatically. While the price of milk has dropped, beans have gone up astronomically, unfortunately. Hopefully with some of the trade stuff we\u2019ll see a de-flux in the pricing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Both owners said they have already seen community support as the snow melts away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always overwhelmed with the amount of support that the community of Lubbock gives us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Fitzpatrick encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnow your neighbors and know your businesses because we\u2019re what makes up our community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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