Every Volusia County resident knows (or should know) the pride and crown jewel of the west side of the county is DeLand. Woodland Boulevard runs through the beautiful and historic Stetson University and continues through the picturesque downtown lined with restaurants and shops. Downtown DeLand is at the center of most of the town’s events, from annual art shows and jazz festivals to weekly concerts, farmer’s markets and theatrical performances. But, what brings the quaintness and true character to DeLand are the merchants who keep the Boulevard alive day-to-day.
And all that came to a screeching halt in the middle of March. The COVID 19 pandemic officially came roaring through the city and everything changed. Downtown became a ghost town in mere hours. And while large chains and franchises struggled throughout town, it was the “mom and pop” stores that felt it to their very cores. They didn’t have the million-dollar coffers to weather storms. Many only had a few employees that are like family, if not actually family. Business was already a challenge in the off months of the summer, when snowbirds have headed back north, families are traveling, the university was mostly empty and the temperatures soared. The spring is when customers come downtown to enjoy the mild evening temperatures, shop for Mother’s Day, and families from around the world converge in DeLand for DeLand High School and Stetson’s commencements. It's time to gain some momentum heading into the doldrums.
So what’s a shop merchant to do? Answer: Get creative and fight like never before to stay afloat.
Tracey Word, owner of Pretty Little Things, took the challenge head-on and used digital resources to keep her shop “open”. She said, “ My business adjusted by selling exclusively from social media… Facebook and Instagram! Rather than seeing folks in person, I was sending them pictures and measurements and additional information via direct message on a 24-hour basis” Tracey harnessed the power of social media, often using it 8-10 hours a day, to reach out to current followers and entice new ones. She did a few Facebook live sessions, with fellow merchant and owner of Ms. Preppy Pants, to highlight the vintage clothing items she carries and also spent 2-3 hours a day filling orders and shuttling items to patrons at curbside pickup. In addition to all of this, she also made local deliveries and shipped items across the state and country. Small business owners work hard but Tracey said that this has made her work
Pretty Little Things wasn’t alone in this venture. Many downtown merchants sought out creative ways to reach out to their customers. The Department of Transportation and the DeLand Mainstreet Association worked to allow 5-minute parking along the boulevard for curbside pickup. That kept the spaces open and allowed for a quick in and out for customers or delivery to the vehicles.
This just proves the creativity and persistence of the downtown businesses in the face of adversity. Let’s show them our appreciation by supporting these resilient members of our community by shopping and dining at their locations.
So what’s a shop merchant to do? Answer: Get creative and fight like never before to stay afloat.
Tracey Word, owner of Pretty Little Things, took the challenge head-on and used digital resources to keep her shop “open”. She said, “ My business adjusted by selling exclusively from social media… Facebook and Instagram! Rather than seeing folks in person, I was sending them pictures and measurements and additional information via direct message on a 24-hour basis” Tracey harnessed the power of social media, often using it 8-10 hours a day, to reach out to current followers and entice new ones. She did a few Facebook live sessions, with fellow merchant and owner of Ms. Preppy Pants, to highlight the vintage clothing items she carries and also spent 2-3 hours a day filling orders and shuttling items to patrons at curbside pickup. In addition to all of this, she also made local deliveries and shipped items across the state and country. Small business owners work hard but Tracey said that this has made her work
Pretty Little Things wasn’t alone in this venture. Many downtown merchants sought out creative ways to reach out to their customers. The Department of Transportation and the DeLand Mainstreet Association worked to allow 5-minute parking along the boulevard for curbside pickup. That kept the spaces open and allowed for a quick in and out for customers or delivery to the vehicles.
This just proves the creativity and persistence of the downtown businesses in the face of adversity. Let’s show them our appreciation by supporting these resilient members of our community by shopping and dining at their locations.