Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, South Florida’s small businesses are still feeling the effects in their sales. Online alternatives like Temu and TikTok Shop have promoted these ventures, but also created an oversaturated market.

 

 

“A lot of businesses have had to restructure in terms of their operations,” said Brian Van Hook, regional director of Small Business Development Centers within Florida International University’s College of Business. According to Van Hook, many local companies are struggling to find and keep employees while serving consumers and competing with larger sellers.

 

 

Freak House, an alternative and gothic clothing store in Pinecrest, has felt the strain firsthand and faced dips in sales.

 

 

“We don’t have huge crowds coming into the store,” said owner Jim Jones.