The next time you head out of the house to run an errand or two, look around. How many local businesses do you pass to a 'big box' store? Depending on where you are coming from that number could be double digits. One Minnesota business owner took the time recently to remind their followers just how tough it still is right now and encouraged people to take the time to buy local.

Heights Pizza Man, based down in Columbia Heights, was a pizza shop my family always ordered from, so I follow them online to keep up on specials for when I am down visiting. Yesterday the business took to social media to highlight times are still tough for many local businesses both in the Twin Cities as well as in greater Minnesota. Here's what was posted.

Image Credit: Heights Pizza Man via Facebook /Paul Shea TSM
Image Credit: Heights Pizza Man via Facebook /Paul Shea TSM
loading...

I've spoken to a bunch of business owners in the last week, both local and statewide.

Nearly every single one I've talked to is struggling hard to stay afloat right now. Some are restaurants, some are not. For a huge percentage of restaurants like ours, apps like Door Dash having major technical issues nationwide have had a huge effect, knocking us nearly 40% below average for the week.

This weekend is supposed to get frigid cold. While you're able to stay at home if life and work obligations allow, all of those businesses will be open and working to do everything they can to keep moving forward. If you can, please support those businesses! In the Heights area alone you have a bunch of options besides the fast food and corporate chains: 3 Guys Grill, Los Cactus, Don Goyo Mexican and Salvadorian Restaurant, Tasty Pizza - Hangar 45 Yummy Bites, The Golden Nuts MN, Fillfalah, Afandina Cafe Central Pizza and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch.

If you need groceries, Cub is locally owned and so is Mike's Discount Foods - Fridley, Ready Meats, Heights Bakery Inc and Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket.

Top Valu has several locations in the area and that money goes back into the community. If you want to get out and do things in spite of the weather, Five Hole Sports Bar and Grill El Tequila Mexican Grill & Bar Rail Werks Brewing Depot Sarnas Classic Grill Jimmy's Pro Billiards Columbia Heights VFW Post 230 Central Mixx all have great food and fun environments.

Whatever you do with your weekend, please take the money you plan to spend and put it into somewhere local. These businesses are often far closer to locking the door than you realize and many of them are keeping dozens of people in your community employed and doing so at higher wages than most of the corporate places. We'd absolutely love to get your business this weekend and beyond but if we don't we'd love to see those dollars spent right in this area.

Have a safe and fun weekend!

While the message comes from 45 miles away, it also rings true here. How many businesses have we seen open up in town, and then close shortly thereafter? Even well-known names around here, like Bonanza and Friends Bar and Restaurant, have closed.

Even businesses like radio stations and newspapers are feeling the pinch, as one of the first things cut when times get tough is an advertising budget. I'm not pitching you to buy ads or print media, I am pitching you to take a moment to stop in or make plans to shop or buy locally at someplace new.

Mix 94.9 logo
Get our free mobile app

You never know if that sale you just gave them is the difference that puts them in the green this month.

The Definitive List of The Oddest, Strangest and Downright Filthy Town Names In Every State

We combed through list after list of the oddest, strangest and somewhat naughty-sounding town names in every state. From Smut Eye to Ding Dong, you can learn unbelievable facts about each of these towns below.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

LOOK: This is the best place to live in every state

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in every state using Niche's 2023 rankings, from planned communities to college towns.  

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: These are the 100 best cities to raise a family

Stacker collected 2023 data from Niche to compile a list of the top 100 cities to raise a family, based on school systems, crime rates, and more.  

Gallery Credit: Emily Sherman

More From Mix 94.9