NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — Danielle Romstadt is the owner of Madelyn Rose Boutique in North Royalton. She said the best part of her job is the customers that turn into friends.
“The store is personal, about getting to know people. I think that’s a good thing and I think my customers love that,” she said.
Those customers have supported her despite the ups and downs throughout the pandemic.
“We saw an increase in numbers. We saw money that was being spent decrease but more people came in and shopped,” said Romstadt.
But still, the store has been a bit quieter than in past years.
“If there’s a new announcement from the governor, you’ll find that the store will be so silent for days because people are uncertain about what to do,” she said.
Though it’s not just uncertainty around COVID-19 that can affect spending habits, it’s political unrest, too, and the uncertainty of what Inauguration Day will bring with it, as there’s strict security across the nation.
“I can see, ever since the Capitol raid, I feel like, definitely, it’s silent. Everything feels quiet and subdued,” she said. “I think people are scared.”
Michael Goldberg, a professor from Case Western Reserve University, said it’s no secret that rioting, turmoil and change can affect spending habits.
“I think markets like stability. Business owners like stability,” he said.
But he said when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the next president and the dust settles on the turmoil of the last few weeks, it will be a good thing for small businesses.
“I believe that the new administration is signaling that they're going to intervene in a deeper way than the last administration did as it relates to supporting small business, as it relates to additional stimulus and as it relates to the, very important, rollout of vaccine,” he said.
While it’s not clear what the rest of 2021 will bring with it, Romstadt said she’s certain that no matter what, people will continue to support local.
“Let’s just all pray that we get through tomorrow and we get through the next couple of weeks,” she said. “I feel like a lot of people are really working hard to make sure that small businesses can survive.”
