Supporting Local Businesses: How Can The University help?

By: Monroe Elzey

Five years ago, local business owners in Radford were faced with the challenge of keeping their businesses profitable despite COVID-19. Since the pandemic, students and faculty are still navigating ways on how to show their support for local businesses. 

The owner of Lamours on East Main Street, Laura Lamoureux, had a few words to say about operating a small business in a college town. She appreciated the crystal trend in 2020 that profited her business and the community the town brought her during COVID-19. However in recent years, she has noticed an absence of new arriving freshmen rushing into her store when the university opens for the fall. She says the university should help by using their businesses to teach. “I’d love to see the professors take a walk,” said Lamoureux. “Especially the business and marketing majors. Let’s go check out the industry.” 

Currently, she notices a trend in less people buying from her business during and after presidential elections. According to Lamoureux, people tend to save their money as they are not sure what to expect. Lamoureux is ready to see more students get out of their shell and professors teach using locally owned businesses. 

Maya Fannon, a freshman at Radford University, believes the university should partner with Radford business owners. When asked on how RU can support local businesses, Fannon thinks they should be “advertising more on campus and doing special student offers.” Ideas from students, business owners and faculty can be used to support the Radford community and their businesses.