For Lease: The Struggle of Small Businesses in Miami

Video Created By: Ella Rodriguez, Isaac Treto, Joselyn Perez, Anayen Balan

Feature Story Written By: Anayen Balan

All over Miami, it seems like you see a ‘For Lease’ sign scattered on every corner & small businesses are struggling to survive the economic rollercoaster that is Miami. For many decades, Miami was run by mom and pop shops but in more recent years those same slots are occupied with a chain business or just sit there abandoned.

“We all had that one spot we grew up with,” said Miami Dade College student Isaac Treto, who helped interview students and former business owners for this project.

“But with corporations and online shopping taking over, the dream of owning a small business is fading. A lot of people my age don’t even realize how many places are gone.”

What was surprising was many students ( especially the younger ones ) said they weren't aware of these businesses that are closing or have closed down. Treto mentions the convenience of Amazon or Target, and other delivery apps that have shifted the younger generation to an online shopping epidemic. On the other side, the ‘older’ generation feels the impact of all this, they were mostly informed and aware of the decrease of local shops & culture.

Online shopping isn’t the only factor contributing to this decline, COVID-19 had a tremendous impact, nearly 3,000 South Florida businesses shut down during the peak of the pandemic. One example of this is Tractor feed and supply, a shop open for over 60 years that sold equestrian & ranching goods located in Kendall, a prime location for equine activity, closed down due to lack of customers. Treto also interviewed Ida Treto, who owned a community bodega for nearly 40 years before ultimately closing down due to the new common cause; ‘lack of business’. Unfortunately it isn’t just small businesses being impacted, big companies like Barnes & Noble, Kmart & Michaels have either closed down or have massively shrunk the amount of in person stores.

Well what can be done about the situation? As a community, we should spread the word on local businesses and the importance of shopping small. Shopping small broadcasts that culture of what Miami is and what we stand for, but what is important is to spread awareness; and actually implement it. Instead of going to Starbucks, go to Mr.Bean or Honey Veil, it’s important the community chooses which companies should shine that deserve to, instead of funding big corporations.