Small Business Stories About Life During a Pandemic

Shop Local Rhode Island Video Series

Unless you’ve been living on another planet, you know that almost everyone in the world has been impacted with the unexpected challenges and hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the small businesses here in Rhode Island are no exception.

With all the depressing news out there, we wanted to shed light on the positive, successful stories of resilience and perseverance. We are so excited to share the launch of our Shop Local Rhode Island video series, portraying how RI small businesses have pivoted since March 2020, and continue to navigate through COVID-19. As a fellow small business we are aware of what these companies are going through, but the incredible maneuvering businesses have accomplished has been truly awe inspiring.

The RI companies featured in this first video include Providence Power Yoga, Adler’s Design Center & Hardware, and White Dog Distilling; with input from the RI Lt. Governor Daniel McKee.

The video demonstrates the intense pivoting small businesses have done since the start of the pandemic. From curbside pickup, to delivering entirely virtual services, to producing new products; each business shows how they remain connected and dedicated to their customers and their community.

As an essential business, Adler’s Design Center & Hardware, needed to find a happy medium for their staff and customers. Owner Harry Adler notes, “No one mandated that we close, but my staff was getting uncomfortable. We weren’t trying to do an easy thing, we were trying to do a safe thing.”

For JoEllen Hockenbrough owner of Providence Power Yoga, she states that, “When we shut down, it wasn’t just closing our doors, it was the loss of community. We’ve now outfitted studios with major technology.”

And Carlo & Alecia Catucci from White Dog Distilling, “had to do an overhaul on our entire business.”

We’re really proud of everyone who came together to make this happen, and so thankful to the businesses for welcoming us and sharing their stories. We feel the video captures everything small business owners are going through right now and hope you will enjoy it too!

Stay tuned as we continue to release more videos in the Shop Local Rhode Island series!