Localtopia, happening on February 20th at Williams Park, features over 200 vendors. This year’s event requires that you wear a mask at all times. Photos by City of St. Petersburg
Localtopia 2021: Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local By Erin Cody Focus on community and support of our awesome local businesses is what St. Pete is all about, but for small businesses and consumers alike, keeping things local has been more difficult over the past year than ever before. “Just as none of us were prepared for how to live through a pandemic, our local business owners could never have prepared for how to operate through one,” says Olga Bof, Executive Director or Keep St. Pete Local. “They were already facing tough times before COVID. Rising rents meant those with brick-and-mortar businesses were struggling to keep their
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doors open. They, along with home-based businesses (e.g. our incredible artists, artisans, makers), were also having to compete with the behemoth that is Amazon even before our world changed.”
Importance of Actually Keeping It Local 2020 was a huge hit to our beloved local businesses, which are part of what makes St. Pete so unique and charming. In the wake of the pandemic, small business owners had to quickly learn to navigate website creation, regulations, applications for assistance to help keep them afloat, and concerns about employee and community well-being. Sadly, a good number of local faves couldn’t make it, and many national and global franchises have jumped in to take their places, stripping the local charm of our little city. Even the businesses that have survived now must compete with recognizable franchises, many of which tout themselves as “local,” and the massive marketing budgets that come with them. “The sad, heartbreaking truth,” says Olga, “Is that we will see many of our beloved businesses close this year if we do not do absolutely everything we can to Think Local First for all of our needs! We can totally appreciate that your budget may not allow for you to always do so, but we also want to reiterate that local isn’t necessarily the more expensive option.” “If we can all consciously commit to seeking out a St. Pete-grown business whenever we need to buy any product or are in need of any
