Supporting Small Businesses Matters Now More Than Ever

Theater, film, and television have long been spaces where bold creativity and self-expression thrive. They are industries built on passion, collaboration, and the diverse voices that bring stories to life. Manhattan Wardrobe Supply proudly supports this vibrant community, especially our LGBTQ and Trans family, whose talent and dedication help shape the industry we love and whose place in our community is being threatened. Supporting small businesses matters now more than ever.

We invite you to stand with us. Shop small, support local, and help our industry to thrive. Preserving our segment of this creative world is important for all who call theater, film, and television their home.

Small businesses have always been the backbone of the American economy, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and keeping money circulating within communities. Yet, Amazon’s vast scale and pricing power make it nearly impossible for independent retailers to compete. The company can undercut prices, control supply chains, and dictate terms in ways that push small businesses to the margins.

The Amazon Effect on

Many small retailers (including ours), hoping to survive, turn to Amazon’s marketplace only to find themselves trapped. Amazon takes significant fees, manipulates search rankings, and even uses third-party seller data to create competing products under its own private label. Businesses that once saw Amazon as an opportunity often find themselves squeezed out, their hard work and innovations repackaged for Amazon’s gain.

The consequences of Amazon’s dominance reach far beyond business owners. We see it in the loss of beloved independent bookstores, in the struggle of local hardware stores, and in specialty retailers like us that once served loyal customers but now battle the overwhelming convenience and discounts that Amazon and other megastores offer through bulk purchasing.

But the impact isn’t just economic-it’s deeply personal. When small businesses disappear, communities lose more than just a storefront. They lose gathering spaces, personalized service, and relationships that turn into something meaningful- amenities that aren’t offered by online vendors. They lose local jobs, replaced by warehouse positions known for grueling conditions and anti-union policies.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s tax loopholes deprive cities and towns of the revenue that funds essential public services that small businesses and their employees rely on. These are the very services that help the theater, film, and television industries.
This isn’t just about retail – it’s about values. Do we want a world where creativity, individuality, and community matter? Or one where corporate giants dictate how and where we shop, at the expense of independent businesses and the workers behind them.

We have a choice

We still have a choice. Support local businesses, especially when purchasing for a union production, even when it takes a little extra effort. Push for policies that protect small retailers, ensuring fair competition, responsible taxation, and stronger antitrust enforcement. Champion a future where small businesses especially those in industries as vital and creative as ours continue to flourish.

Theater, film, and television have always lifted up voices, told stories, and created space for everyone to be seen. If we want to keep that spirit alive, we must take action now.

If you believe, as we do, that small businesses matter, that diversity, creativity, and fairness matter, please shop with us and other small businesses in our community. Together, we can ensure that our industry remains a place where all are welcome, independent businesses can thrive, and the heart of our creative community continues to beat strong.