A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Covington urges ‘safe,’ energetic support of small, local retailers, especially now


In 2020, the “shop local, shop small” message oozes urgency and significance.

Heading into “Small Business Saturday” – the traditional and ceremonial start to the annual holiday shopping season – City of Covington officials are emphasizing the need to support the City’s retailers and their employees’ jobs amid the uncertainly and vulnerability of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Small-business retail is kind of our ‘sweet spot’ and the heart of our entrepreneurial spirit,” said Mayor Joe Meyer, who recently signed a proclamation calling attention to Small Business Saturday. “Covington is most definitely not a big-box shopping-mall kind of place, and we’re fortunate to have an eclectic collection of unique places that sell a wide range of services and interesting products.”

Health restrictions related to the coronavirus have curtailed many of the annual formal events related to Small Business Saturday, but many businesses and their advocates are being creative in finding ways to bring in customers.

For example:

• Renaissance Covington is using its Facebook page and website to promote individual businesses in the city, “holiday gift sets,” and a “Shop Local” media campaign, as seen HERE and HERE.

• A new marketing and wayfinding program called “Eat, Drink & Stroll Covington” is making it easier for people to find restaurants in the northern half of the city, thanks to signs, banners, QR Codes, and the www.recovky.com site. It’s a partnership among the City, the Covington Business Council, the Milburn Foundation, and creative firm BLDG Refuge.

• Numerous businesses – as in, too many to mention – are touting special deals on their websites and Facebook pages.

City officials continued to urge people to abide by safety regulations related to social distancing, wearing face coverings, and sanitizing hands and surfaces, while also helping businesses abide by restrictions announced HERE.

For example, while indoor dining has been curtailed at restaurants in an attempt to limit the exponential spread of the highly contagious and sometimes fatal respiratory disease, many also have outdoor dining areas and nearly all of them offer food on a carryout or delivery basis.


Related Posts

Leave a Comment