08/22/2026
I read this in a newsletter and thought there are some great ideas to share.
Be a Good Business Neighbor
A lot of being a good small-business neighbor comes down to remembering that downtown or neighborhood businesses share the same customers, parking, sidewalks, reputation, and community. And when a new business opens, established businesses can make a huge difference in whether they feel welcomed.
Here are simple, practical ideas that don’t require money or much effort:
•Introduce yourself to a new business owner. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Stop in, say hello, tell them you’re glad they’re there, and give them your contact information.
•Share their opening announcement. A Facebook share costs absolutely nothing and can make a new business feel supported.
•Actually visit the new business. Even better, buy something if you can. Being welcomed by fellow business owners matters.
•Send customers to one another. If you don’t have what someone needs, recommend the business down the street that does. Customers remember helpfulness.
•Learn your neighbors’ hours. Then when someone asks, “Is there anywhere around here that sells ___?” you can give them a useful answer.
•Don’t block neighboring storefronts. Be thoughtful about sandwich boards, merchandise displays, delivery vehicles, trash cans, loading/unloading, and anything else that affects visibility or access.
•Leave the best parking for customers. Owners and employees should avoid parking directly in front of their own business or a neighbor’s when other reasonable options exist. A few extra steps for us can mean easier access for a customer.
•Keep the shared area attractive. Pick up litter—even when it isn’t yours. Straighten something that’s blown over. If everybody takes care of the block, everybody benefits.
•Give neighbors a heads-up. Having construction, a big delivery, an event, loud activity, or something else that might affect them? A quick “Just wanted you to know…” goes a long way.
•Don’t monopolize shared resources. Parking, alleys, loading areas, dumpsters, sidewalks, public seating, and other common spaces aren’t extensions of your individual business.
•Be generous with information. Tell a new business owner who to call about trash pickup, where employees usually park, how local events work, who handles permits, or those other little things you had to figure out the hard way.
•Include the new kid. If merchants are planning promotions, holiday activities, extended hours, sidewalk sales, etc., make sure the newest business knows about them.
•Tag neighboring businesses appropriately. If you’re posting about a customer’s day downtown or recommending several stops, tag the other businesses. Help customers discover the whole district.
•Celebrate each other’s wins. Grand openings, anniversaries, expansions, awards and milestones are good for the entire business community.
•Handle problems privately. If another business does something that bothers you, talk to them directly before complaining about them to customers, other merchants, or social media.
•Don’t treat similar businesses as enemies. Two boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons, etc. can actually make an area more of a destination. Customers like having several places to explore.
•Don’t bad-mouth another local business to customers. Even if you have legitimate differences, putting another business down usually reflects poorly on the person doing the talking.
•Remember that their customers are potentially your customers, too. Helping another business attract people to the area increases the number of people walking past your door.
•Recommend the whole community, not just yourself. When visitors ask what else they should do, give them two or three places to visit, eat, shop, or explore.
•Be especially welcoming during the first few months. Opening a business is overwhelming. A friendly face saying, “How’s it going? Need anything?” can mean far more than you realize.
And I think there’s one principle that ties almost all of these together:
Think like a district, not an island.
A thriving neighboring business isn’t taking something away from you. It’s giving people another reason to come to your street, stay longer, walk farther, and come back again.
For a small downtown especially, I’d add: Customers don’t experience our businesses individually they experience the community. If they have a great afternoon visiting five businesses, all five businesses won.
