Why Supporting Small Business in Victoria Matters More Than Ever Right Now
(Victoria, TX) - If you've lived in Victoria for any length of time, you know there's something special about supporting local. Grabbing barbecue after work. Meeting friends for coffee. Cooling off with ice cream on a hot South Texas afternoon. Finding a new family-owned spot you can't stop telling people about. Shopping local is part of what makes Victoria feel like home. But this year has been hard on the people behind those counters, and it's worth talking about honestly.
Victoria Just Lost Two Local Businesses in the Same Week
In June, two Victoria small businesses announced they were closing within hours of each other. The Chopping Block and Paint's Underground Pizza both cited the same things: financial strain, rising operational costs, and inconsistent customer support. Chopping Block owner John Tyrna didn't sugarcoat it in an article on The Victoria Advocate.
Small businesses are crumbling left and right,
Tyrna also explained the squeeze in a way a lot of owners around here would recognize. He built his business on fresh, natural products, and that commitment got harder to afford every month. As he put it, with costs rising the way they have, a lot of places are being pushed toward cheaper alternatives just to stay open.
What Local Owners Are Actually Up Against
It's not one thing. It's a stack of them. An article from Crossroads Today identified many of the struggles being faced. Product costs keep climbing. Shipping and delivery fees have gone up. And independent shops are competing against national chains that have far more purchasing power and can absorb costs a local owner simply can't.
Then add what South Texas threw at us this year. The May 1 storms did real damage across the area, and the SBA set up in Victoria offering low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover. That office closed permanently on June 4, which means one more resource is no longer sitting downtown.
Why It Matters for the Whole Community
This isn't just about losing a favorite lunch spot, though that stings plenty. Victoria has more than 3,000 small businesses, and the city's economic development office is blunt about what they represent. "Victoria's more than 3,000 small businesses are a cornerstone of our local economy," said Chris Conner, the city's business retention and expansion manager. "They create jobs, generate investment, strengthen our tax base and contribute to the character and vibrancy that make Victoria a great place to live and work." from The Victoria Advocate.
Read that last part again. Character and vibrancy. Every town in Texas has the same chains. What makes Victoria feel like Victoria is the stuff you can't get anywhere else, and those places only survive if we actually show up.
What Actually Helps Small Businesses in Victoria
Here's the good news. The owners who closed this summer were specific about what helps, and none of it requires a big budget. Some ideas are even free.
- Show up. Visit the shop. One visit a month from a lot of people adds up faster than you'd think.
- Leave a review. Online reviews drive real traffic for small businesses that can't afford advertising.
- Share their posts. A share costs you nothing and puts a local business in front of hundreds of people who've never heard of them.
- Tell somebody. Word of mouth still moves the needle in a town this size.
- Buy the gift card. Especially in slow months, that's cash flow when they need it most.
Resource Fair Coming for Local Owners
If you own a business here or you're thinking about starting one, there's a Victoria Small Business Resource Fair coming up on August 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Texas A&M University-Victoria Small Business Development Center, University Northwest building, 1604 E. Airline Road.
At 3 p.m., there's a panel of local owners moderated by Mayor Duane Crocker, sharing what they've learned and what they've overcome. It's hosted by the Texas A&M-Victoria SBDC, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Victoria
Additional Small Business Support Facebook Groups are also available:
Shop Twice Victoria Facebook Group - Created by Sara Vela, this Facebook page offers insights on how to team up (both residents and business owners) to help support small businesses in Victoria. From using your Facebook page to providing resources, local business directory, events and more, the community can rally together in an organized way.
361 Good News Facebook Group - Another local group uniting the Crossroads. From community services, fundraising and local business awareness, it's a great way to connect with neighbors and help out Victoria.
Rapid Printing Small Business Marketing Initiative - Rapid Printing is giving away $2,500 in printing services throughout the month of July. The goal is simple: help local businesses become more visible and continue thriving.
Giveaway Schedule
- July 10: $500 Rapid Printing Gift Certificate—Mighty Air Tech
- July 17: $500 Rapid Printing Gift Certificate—The Water Well Café
- July 24: $500 Rapid Printing Gift Certificate
- July 31: $1,000 Rapid Printing Gift Certificate
Winners can use their gift certificates toward a wide variety of products, including business cards, brochures, trifolds, banners, yard signs, feather flags, promotional merchandise, custom apparel, embroidery, and more—everything a business needs to stand out and be seen.
Whether you're launching a new business, refreshing your brand, or preparing for your next big event, this giveaway is an opportunity to invest in your business without investing additional dollars.
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