We got some disturbing news recently from two local businesses we love. They are struggling badly and need us to shop in their stores.
The good news is that we can help them, just by shopping in real life, not online.
The bad news is that we may be watching the end of retail as we know it. Amazon and the billionaires boys club are killing local businesses.
Wonderland Toys, a great shop in Aptos, is one of those businesses that recently sent out an appeal for help.
“There’s nothing easy about this announcement, so we’re just going to come out & say it…our little shop is in trouble. This past year has been a real struggle. Despite hearing daily how much our shop is valued for the service & experience we provide, retail habits have changed.
Many of our expenses have gone up, including rent. Our landlords, who do not live in the area, have thus far been unwilling to offer any relief, but we remain hopeful they will see the importance of working with a beloved locally owned business like ours.
We have been doing our best to ride this current wave, continually thinking the upswing is right around the corner and making adjustments where we can, but over the past several days we have had to come to realize that we aren’t just struggling, but are indeed in trouble.
We are optimistic about having a great holiday season, but are honestly not sure how long Wonderland can survive. We have been honored & proud to serve our community for the last nine years & would love to continue to do so.
We are humbly asking you, our WONDERful, family, friends & supporters for financial help. Here are options of support: 1) Donate to our Wonder Wishlist Go Fund Me, which will help us give new toys & games to local children in-need AND support Wonderland at the same time. To learn more about Wonder Wishlist, and to donate, visit gofund.me/4e72296e 2) Shop with us. In store and/or online. 3) Donate directly to Wonderland, via Venmo venmo.com/u/wonderlandtoys, to help with rent and other operating costs.
4) Share this message! 5) Use our plea as a reminder to visit, shop and support ALL your favorite local businesses as well.
We don’t know what’s to come in the next months or year(s). We know we aren’t the only retailer in this situation. We desperately want to believe that brick & mortar retail business is still wanted and needed within local communities, & we think & hope you do too. Shopping local is more than a catchphrase; it’s essential for thriving communities.”
We got a similar plea from Comicopolis, the comics and bookstore in Downtown Santa Cruz.
We patronize both regularly.
The thing we love about both places is that they carefully and artfully present products kids love. You can touch them and really know what you are buying.
They both understand their markets and choose things kids and parents will enjoy.
Please, do what you can do to help save both.
Thanks for reading and have great holidays
Brad Kava,
Editor and Publisher
