Dear City Commission & Landlords, 

We have been thinking a lot about the situation we find ourselves in with this pandemic. Small businesses have taken a substantial hit. While we all try and keep our heads above water, we are well aware that certain costs will make it very difficult as we try to stay afloat. The most prominent fixed bill being rent. Small businesses drive up property values and clusters of them contribute to even higher values. As we continue to address the needs of our community, we must acknowledge what our city would look like without independently owned small businesses. How can there be a sense of community when there will be no local places to frequent. I write this in a dire state because that is our reality. The impact on small business is so profound. 

I write this letter directly to the landlords. Please don’t turn your backs on us. We have been here for you, increasing your property values, building out your once vacant buildings and in most cases carrying the burden of those costs. We must all give a little to make it through. Without your storefronts and restaurants filled, how will you pay your mortgages moving forward? There has to be compromise in order for us both to survive. As we have had to adjust our business models, we ask you to do the same. We are asking a major reduction in rent for 6 months and a push for the government to allow mortgage & rent abatement. This allows us time to sustain and rebuild coming back stronger than ever and keeping your building occupied without going into unmanageable debt. 

As some of us have changed our business models to protect the safety of our employees and guests others of us have been mandated to close completely. We ask for your compassion in this time of utter financial distress. 

Onward & Upward, 

Small Business Leaders of Gainesville