Local businesses say community support is key as costs continue to rise

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

Cape Girardeau, MO (KBSI) — As costs continue to rise, local business owners say where people choose to shop can have a lasting impact — not just on their businesses, but on the community as a whole.

From restaurants to pet shops, small business owners across Cape Girardeau say they are working to serve customers while navigating increasing expenses tied to food, labor and insurance.

At the same time, they say community support plays a major role in whether they are able to stay open and continue giving back.

At Mississippi Mutts, manager Barb Frolker said local customers help make more than just daily operations possible.

“Local support is very important because if we’re not busy, then there’s no donations, there’s no helping the schools, sponsorships, things like that,” Frolker said.

She said that connection creates a ripple effect, allowing small businesses to support local programs and organizations.

But business owners say growing financial pressures are making that support even more critical.

At Port Cape, owner Doc Cain said rising costs continue to impact how businesses operate.

“There’s other outside factors that are impacting us all right now — rising food prices, rising labor prices, rising insurance costs — all these things seem to be going the other way,” Cain said.

With those challenges, business owners say consumer choices can directly affect how much they are able to contribute back to the community.

Frolker pointed to larger online retailers as a key difference.

“Chewy and Amazon, they don’t give donations for anything. But the local businesses do,” she said.

Because of that, business owners are encouraging people to consider shopping locally before turning to online options.

“If you’re in a small business scenario and you think that maybe I’ll order this online, don’t do that. check your local business first, maybe they have it there” Cain said.

Business owners say supporting local doesn’t just help keep their doors open — it helps strengthen the community around them.