This comes as some tell us they’re in survival mode with sales down and costs continuing to increase due to multiple factors, including tariffs.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Behind the colorful displays and cheerful windows of Charlotte’s small boutiques, local business owners are facing growing economic challenges.
“We have just been patient. It was a vast shift going from slammed busy to like one to two people,” said Elizabeth Blocker, sales lead at Disco Honey, a women’s boutique in Charlotte.
Many small retailers report thinning crowds while expenses continue to rise. Business owners cite concerns about inflation, potential tariffs and the burden of commercial rent.
“The owners here say rent puts a weight on them when it comes to making sure we have enough to stay where we want to stay financially,” Blocker said.
The economic pressure became more visible when Girl Tribe, another well-known female-owned shop in Charlotte, recently posted on social media about their financial struggles. The confession resonated widely, garnering over 10,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments and shares.
“A bigger company like Girl Tribe was going through some of the same stuff we are,” Blocker said.
While some businesses are closing quietly, others are choosing to speak openly about their challenges, turning vulnerability into a movement of solidarity among local retailers.
“It was really nice to see all the small businesses come together,” Blocker said. “We’re all in this together against the big corporations.”
Contact Tradesha Woodard at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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