We are all figuring things out day by day. No matter what you do for a living, things have changed. I have been so impressed by how the small business community in Alexandria has all “pivoted” as Nicole Jones of Stomping Ground mentioned, to a survival mode in an attempt to make sure we can pay our employees and be here when things return to some type of normalcy. Nobody can say when that will be, so once again, we take it day by day.It makes me tear up when I see how hard everyone is working. Mind the Mat was the first to go digital and most studios have come up with some digital platform or way to work out at home. For me, being able to take the same classes with the same people at the same time has given me a little sense of well, sanity. We’re all also adopting some new habits and I do need to stop making ice cream and wine my normalcy at night.Most stores have curbside pick-up or delivery, Helen Olivia is doing digital flower arranging classes, AR Workshop has DIY kits to take home and the list goes on and on. The Get Dressed Challenge has been so fun to watch as Ali Helmuth and Marisa Gonzalez encourage us to get up and get out of our workout clothes and pjs. It has been such a welcome distraction and has gotten me into something with a zipper a few days when I otherwise wouldn’t have.It has been overwhelming to see the support from our town of its small businesses. So many people asking me, “What can I do to help?” I was talking with Kelly of Bishop Boutique and Angela of Bellacara and they are experiencing the same thing.We thought it would be fun to come up with a way for people to support us all at once. So, today we launch our first Boutique Box. Each week, on Mondays, we will come up with a new box. One week we might not even say what it is in it! All the items are discounted, and we will deliver or ship them to you free of charge. It is a perfect option if you have someone with a birthday or you want to just cheer someone up. Kelly has been doing shopping at one local business a day and using the hashtag #ShopSmallHappy. Join in and tag your local purchases and use this way to shop four stores all at once! Quantities are limited! Just message one of us on social media or email me at elizabeth@theshoehive.com.