Running a small business, especially in retail, has always come with its challenges. But this past year has been different.
Across Connecticut and beyond, we’ve seen an increasing number of small shops close their doors. Businesses that were thoughtful, community-driven, and deeply loved. At the same time, large corporations continue to grow at a record pace. The most recent holiday season made that contrast especially clear. While many small businesses struggled, companies like Amazon reported record-breaking sales.
This isn’t just a headline. It’s something we’ve felt directly.
This past winter was one of the most difficult seasons we’ve experienced. A combination of slower holiday shopping, challenging winter weather, and broader economic and political uncertainty led to a noticeable shift in spending habits. For the first time, our winter sales fell below the previous year’s numbers, which is something many other small businesses experienced as well.
When people feel uncertain, it’s natural to prioritize convenience and cost. We’re seeing more shoppers turn to big box stores and lower-cost retailers, even when those choices don’t fully align with their values. We understand that. Truly.
At the same time, it makes the choice to shop small even more meaningful.
We want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful we are for those of you who continue to support us. Your purchases do more than keep our doors open. They allow us to keep offering alternatives that are non-toxic, thoughtfully sourced, and designed to reduce waste. It is also worth noting that many of these options offer real cost savings over time, especially when reused or refilled.
That said, this past season has made one thing very clear. We need to be more strategic moving forward.
What We’re Adjusting
This period has shown us that we are not yet on solid enough footing to easily absorb another season like this. So we are making some necessary shifts to strengthen the business and ensure we can continue showing up for this community long-term.
Some of these changes you may have already noticed:
- A suggested donation model for the Swap Studio
- The phase-out of certain specialty recycling programs
And there are a few more adjustments underway:
- Product curation updates: We are taking a closer look at what is selling and what is not. Some slower-moving items will be phased out, while we expand and deepen the selection of products you already love.
- Fewer large-scale events: We will not be able to participate in or sponsor as many larger events as we have in the past.
- More intentional offerings: We will be reducing some of the free programming and finding ways to keep what we offer sustainable for the business.
None of these decisions are made lightly. Every product, program, and partnership has meaning behind it. Sustainability applies to the business itself as well.
A Note on Products and Expectations
We also want to share something openly, because it is part of running a small, values-driven shop.
We are not always able to carry every product indefinitely.
Sometimes a product you love may be discontinued, not because we do not value it, but because it is not moving enough to justify the shelf space. Other times, brands themselves may close or pause production. This is one of the realities of working primarily with small, independent makers. It is something we believe in deeply, but it also means there can be changes that are outside of our control.
We will always do our best to offer thoughtful alternatives when this happens, and to keep you informed along the way.
Looking Ahead
We are sharing all of this not as a complaint, but as transparency.
This is a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to keep a small, mission-driven business running right now. It is not always visible from the outside, and we believe it is important to be honest about where things stand.
We are still here. We are still committed. And we are still working toward the same goal we have always had. Making sustainable living more accessible, practical, and rooted in community.
These adjustments are about making sure we can continue doing that, not just today, but for years to come.
Thank you for being part of this with us.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these changes.
And thank you for continuing to show up in ways that truly make a difference.