SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- Shopping local has been a big movement, especially this year. With the pandemic, stores are having to get creative, finding new ways to help shoppers safely get what they need.
Local and small businesses are stepping out of comfort zones. Coral Cove on Rehoboth Avenue launched its first website in response to the shutdown. Owner, Tai Camper says, online orders saved the store. Along with a website they started online shopping events.
"Just kind of walk customers around the store virtually and then they can purchase everything online. Some of those Saturdays rivaled what we would normally see on a regular Saturday that we were open," said Camper.
Snyder's has had a website for over 10 years, but online orders have never been so popular.
"Especially at the beginning of quarantine, we will say the middle of March, April and end of May, we received a 400 to 500 percent increase in online sales," said owner Jeff Balk. There hasn't been a day since the pandemic that he hasn't received an online order. "In fact, the post office comes six or seven days a week to pick packages up since we have so many orders on some days," said Balk. Buying a gift card is the perfect way to get in and out of stores quickly. You can use them in stores or online for quick, contactless shopping. Some places like the Heidi Lowe Gallery will shop for you. Describe what you are looking for, and a jeweler will pick our pieces for you to pick up. Business owners like Balk say it's imperative all small businesses start offering more ways to shop. Southern Delaware Tourism shared a list of local shops offering online deals and specials.
The list can be found here.