Small businesses expand holiday shopping options amid COVID-19 restrictions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Small businesses are making changes, as they adapt to stricter coronavirus restrictions enacted Friday in El Paso County.

"Obviously, things have not been easy. Things are tough," Cintia Kiss, manager at Halo Boutique said.

It comes amid what's typically a busy season, where many retailers rely on holiday shopping to help end the year on a financially positive note.

"As the restrictions change and the guidelines change, we just change with the times," said Peri Bolts, founder of Eclectic Co.

Small business retailers have expanded the ways people can shop safely for the holidays, from curbside pick-up and online orders to personalized appointments.

"We actually just started incorporating them just a couple of weeks ago, but definitely people have been very interested in them," Kiss said.

Halo Boutique has even shifted to social media tools such as Facebook livestreams, as a means of selling remote.

"They have the option to order right then and there and then we'll place the orders for them. They can either come here to pick it up. We can deliver it by curbside or ship it to them as well."

An uptick in online orders for Eclectic Co. this week, Bolts said, has also been a vital source of community support.

"Even though people maybe don't feel comfortable being in store, they're still supporting us online and that's what we really strive to offer. Whatever your comfort level, we're still here for you."