Fisher

Although we are a few weeks past the second “onceinalifetime” ice storm and many of us are ready to move on, we shouldn’t forget its impact. The storm affected more than our daily routines; it deeply impacted our business community, especially our small businesses.

Like many of you, I spent the days after icepocalypse checking on neighbors and friends. I listened to the quiet hum of generators, navigated slick sidewalks, and counted the hours until the lights came back on. Storms like this have a way of slowing everything down and reminding us how connected we really are.

They also remind me of the people we don’t always see when we’re focused on getting through our own to�’do lists: our small business owners.

While many of us were huddled at home trying to stay warm, local business owners were worrying about spoiled inventory, missed appointments, employees who couldn’t get to work, and doors they couldn’t open. Some were dealing with all of that while also managing downed trees, power outages, or burst pipes at home. There’s no pause button for a small business. A few lost days can echo for weeks or even months.

I know many of these owners personally. They’re the ones who greet you by name, ask about your kids, donate gift cards to school raffles, sponsor teams, and quietly step up whenever the community needs help. They don’t just operate businesses here; they live here. When the storm hits, it hits them twice.

That’s why the days and weeks after an ice storm matter so much.

Once the roads cleared and routines returned, it’s easy to slip back into convenience. But this is the moment when our choices carry extra weight. Where we shop, eat, and spend our dollars right now can help determine how quickly our local businesses recover, or whether they struggle to regain their footing at all.

Shopping small after a storm isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about intention. It’s choosing to pick up that item locally instead of ordering it online. It’s rescheduling the appointment that had to be canceled. It’s stopping for coffee, grabbing lunch downtown, or buying a gift card even if you don’t need it immediately. It’s leaving a kind review, sharing a post, or simply telling a business owner, “I’m glad you’re back open.”

Those moments matter more than you might think.

Every dollar spent locally stays closer to home. It supports employees who live in our neighborhoods. It helps keep storefronts full and lights on. It sustains the places that give Alpena its character and sense of belonging. After a storm, local circulation of dollars becomes a lifeline.

It also means showing patience. Storm recovery isn’t instant. Hours may be shorter. Menus may be smaller. Staff may be stretched thin. A little understanding goes a long way, and it strengthens the relationships that make our community feel like home.

One of the things I love most about living here is how people show up for one another when it matters. We check on neighbors. We share resources. We lend a hand without being asked. Supporting small businesses is part of that same spirit. It’s another way of saying, “We’re in this together.”

The ice has melted. Power has been restored. But the financial impact on small businesses doesn’t disappear as quickly. Utility bills rise. Repairs take time. Lost revenue can’t always be replaced. Choosing to shop local in the weeks and months following a storm is one of the most practical, meaningful ways to help.

Our small businesses help define who we are. They are part of our daily lives and our shared story. When we support them, especially after hardship, we’re not just helping individual businesses. We’re investing in the resilience and future of our entire community.

As we move forward from this storm, I hope we all take a moment to think local. To shop small. To spend with purpose. Because recovery doesn’t just happen, it’s built, one choice at a time, right here at home.