10/09/2026
Please, take the time to read this post. It’s long, but it means so much to me as a business owner and citizen of Taylorville.
As many of you know, Taylorville received a downtown business grant a couple of years ago for updates on the square. While this grant can do some beautiful things for our downtown, and we do love growth, us business owners are getting nervous. January is quickly approaching, and construction will soon begin.
What does that mean? Well, we are being told that customers *should* still have access to our storefronts during regular open hours. It does mean though that it might be harder to get to us. Let’s face it - nobody likes working their way around a construction zone, let alone for almost 2 years. My daughter is going to be in preschool before this construction project is done! 😳
I expect to see a big drop in foot traffic because of the construction - realistically speaking. We rely a lot on out-of-town business, which I see slowing as customers might find it difficult to navigate from shop to shop. They visit Taylorville to visit us ALL! We are ALL impacted. I hope I’m wrong.
My biggest hope is that our town will show our downtown businesses extra support, in spite of any annoyance because you value what our small businesses bring to our town.
We’re going to fight like hell and work tirelessly to make it through these 18 months. Because the Dandy Lion isn’t just one single small business. It’s 63. SIXTY-THREE. Sixty-three people who have supplemental income because of our store, and some who rely solely on that income!
The sad reality is, you will likely see some storefronts empty after this construction. There are several businesses that already do what they can to make ends meet, because we love what we do. A lot of us can’t afford that length of struggle.
I’m not asking for handouts - and I never have. I’ll always work my butt off to keep this store going and to keep my customers happy. I plan to offer FREE delivery in town for the entirety of the construction period and to finally update that darn website of mine.
But please… consider supporting us RIGHT NOW, so we have a bit of a cushion before the blow. I’ve been told there won’t be a blow, but… if you’re a small business owner.. you know, even the smallest thing can make or break you.
We appreciate your support, your thoughts, and prayers. My brain is scrambled and I’ve been trying to avoid worrying too much, but it’s been a slower couple of months anyhow & the pressure is on.
Please consider replacing an item or two from your grocery order for an item from our shop - soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish soap, snacks, the list goes on… Chances are that ours have better ingredients, similar cost, and you’re supporting someone who recognizes the value of your dollar and is forever grateful for any support.
It means everything to me to keep this place going. I hope in 2 years, I’ll look back and laugh over how much I worried. Until then…. I will forever appreciate every person that walks through our doors, tells a friend about our store or spends even a dime here.
Think of the downtown restaurants. The movie theater (please, Jesus, let this movie theater always stay in our town!). The local jewelry store, the boutiques, the gym, the book store/ record shop, antique stores, the hair dressers!!! I could go on and on about the passionate, giving business owners our town has who NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
