Small businesses in Boston are struggling to remain profitable due to flat or declining sales coupled with rising costs. This was revealed by Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. High rent, inflation, insurance costs, and remote work options are some of the factors making it difficult for these mom-and-pop shops to stay afloat.
One example of a business that shut down is Guitar Center, which catered to musicians like Cyrus Hayes, a Berklee College of Music senior. This has left customers like Hayes with limited options. However, the City of Boston is offering grants of up to $200,000 to small businesses to cover expenses like rent, security deposits, and improvements through its Space Grant Program.
Despite the challenges faced by small businesses along Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, Austin Chen remains optimistic about their future. He expressed concern about the increasing cost of running a small business and wondered about its impact on foot traffic. His restaurant, Berklee Noodles Factory, has been operating for seven years and he emphasized the importance of community support during times of economic strain.
Chen encouraged people in Boston to visit his restaurant for a bowl of ramen or other dishes to help keep small businesses like his afloat. With community support and government aid programs like the Space Grant Program, small businesses can continue to thrive and contribute positively to their communities despite challenging times.
