Why Small Businesses and Local Restaurants—Need You to Show Up
At Roland Wines, we talk a lot about community. It’s the soil everything grows from. But lately, there’s a quiet struggle under the surface: too many small businesses are afraid to raise prices, even as their costs climb.
We get it. Nobody wants to alienate loyal customers. The pizza that used to cost $18 now really needs to be $21 just to keep the lights on—but what if that $3 bump drives folks away? The truth is, most owners absorb the hit. They skip their own paycheck, put off replacing equipment, and keep serving with a smile. It works for a while—until it doesn’t.
What’s changed isn’t just cost. It’s behavior. More people are eating at home, streaming instead of socializing, ordering instead of visiting. After years of isolation, staying in has become the default. But restaurants, tasting rooms, and cafés were never just about food or drink—they were about connection. When those places close, towns lose their heartbeat.
And those in the wine and beer bisiness, are taking a hit with modern myths that are dominating the news. Let’s talk about the latest health scare that says any alcohol is bad for you. Those studies don’t tell the full story. They lump together moderation and abuse, tequila shots and a glass of red with dinner. Wine—especially when paired with food and shared among friends—belongs to a different tradition altogether. It’s about slowing down, celebrating, and balancing pleasure with restraint.
So here’s the real takeaway: small businesses need their communities as much as communities need them. The next time you’re tempted to stay home, go out instead. Pay the fair price. Have a conversation. Raise a glass.
Because every time you do, you’re not just supporting a restaurant or a winery—you’re keeping the fabric of your town intact.
