by Victoria Stone
Summer of 2020 began with a key turning in the lock for the first time and the kitchen ready to be fired up. The case was filled with desserts of all kinds, the cabinets lined with bread and jars of jam. The smell of baked goods and warmth invited people in. We greeted every customer as if they were family, because in our minds, they were. We built connections with surrounding businesses and the community outside our walls. For a time, it thrived. But over the course of a few months, our regulars became scarce, the espresso machine quiet, and the seats that once filled quickly were empty. The cost of goods rose, rent became unaffordable, and the bell above the door stopped ringing. Despite our efforts, the key turned in the lock for the last time. Losing that place felt like grieving a loved one. We had built more than a business; we had built a community and a place that felt like home.
Years later, I found myself behind the counter of a small boutique and consignment shop. The racks were full of hidden gems you’d never find at a big-box store, yet the aisles remained empty. People scrolled and shopped online instead of strolling through our doors. Each day I asked myself: how much longer can we hold on? How much longer will I have a job? From the bakery to the boutique, I have seen the same struggle again and again: small businesses fighting to survive, many losing the battle.
My story is not unique. Across South Carolina and the nation, small businesses are closing at alarming rates. In a national study conducted by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics from 2013 to 2023, only half survive beyond five years, and by ten years, just three in ten remain. The pandemic only accelerated this trend, wiping out family-owned shops, restaurants, and traditions in a matter of months. These closures are not just the loss of a storefront; they represent the loss of gathering places, jobs, and pieces of a town’s character.
Yet this cycle is not unbreakable. If South Carolina wants strong communities and lasting traditions, we need to invest in the people keeping our small businesses alive. Their challenges – rising costs, lack of support, and online competition – are solvable. With the right tools, these businesses can survive, grow, and remain the heart of our communities.
One solution is to expand access to business loans paired with mentorship. Struggling businesses often either can’t access financing or don’t have guidance on how to manage growth and profit. A loan program that combines funding with mentorship would give entrepreneurs not only finances but also useful knowledge. Capital and mentorship are foundations for small business success, but they cannot stand without community support. That’s why encouraging people to shop locally is equally critical.
Another step is incentivizing local shopping. Many South Carolina towns host farmers markets and festivals, but we can go further. Local tax breaks, loyalty programs, and campaigns urging people to choose neighborhood stores instead of clicking “buy now” online would help shift habits. Supporting small businesses creates a ripple effect: every dollar spent locally produces jobs, services, and stronger communities. Still, even loyal customers can’t offset the rising costs that threaten small businesses.
We must ease the financial burdens owners face. Rising insurance, goods, and fees can push a business under in less than a year. State-level reforms or group insurance options could level the field, keeping owners from choosing between covering bills or keeping employees. Relieving these burdens would give businesses room to innovate and serve their communities without constant fear of closure. Taken together, these steps could change the story for countless businesses across South Carolina.
I can still smell bread fresh from the oven, hear the chime of the door, see neighbors gathered over coffee. Now, standing in the quiet aisles of the boutique, I wonder how long the lights will stay on. Small businesses are hidden gems, familiar faces, and hearts of South Carolina towns, not just storefronts. I have felt the grief of losing one and the anxiety of watching another falter, but I believe this story doesn’t have to keep repeating. With greater support, South Carolina can give its small businesses a chance to thrive. By investing in them, we invest in ourselves, our communities, and the future of South Carolina. The choice is ours: let more lights go dark, or fight for the businesses that fight for us every day.
About Victoria Stone
Victoria Stone of Lexington is a junior at Gray Collegiate Academy, where Jessica Goings is her English teacher. The daughter of Teresa and DJ Stone, Victoria enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and playing soccer. She plans to pursue a career in child psychology.