Looking at the big picture for small businesses

Many businesses in our area are thankful to be up and running at least to some capacity again, but what does the big picture look like for our locally owned, small businesses?

- many businesses in our area are- thankful to be up-and-running -- at least to some capacity once- again - but what does the big - picture look like for our - locally owned, small businesses- news 25's toni miles takes us - back to negrotto's- frame and art gallery in- gulfport - and to the - mississippi - gulf coast chamber of commerce - for that answer.- - it's often said art imitates- life -- but one thing is for sure - - there's a lot more life at- negrotto's frame & art now that- gulfport business owner - butch simpson has been cleared- - - - to let his two employees return- to work.- butch simpson, owner of - negrotto's frame & art: " we were happy to get - them back and they were happy t- get back.

We were following the- state - guidelines.

We're still keeping- our doors locked.

Knock on the- door, set an- appointment, let them in, so we- can do one at a time in the - gallery, but it's nice to have- them back to work."

You may remember we spoke with- simpson several - weeks ago about his concerns- over the business - lockdowns...- today, he paints a brighter - picture and believes things are- starting to look up.- butch simpson, owner of - negrotto's frame & art: " the month of april, we- ended up being down 73-percent.- for the month of may we're only- down 48-percent,- and for the year, we're only- down a little less than - 30-percent, so it seems like- - - - it's starting to come back."

Toni miles, news 25: "while negrotto's frame & art typicall- does their business - in-house, the director of the - mississippi gulf coast chamber- of commerce says it's - likely more businesses will - start putting more of an- emphasis on online sales and- marketing."

Adele lyons, mississippi gulf - coast chamber of commerce - - - - director & ceo: "some things we're already seeing.

The - question is will people go back- and - have people in offices or retai- locations, or do they stick wit- a more remote setting?- it just depends on that busines- and what works best for them."

And the clock is ticking down - for some businesses still - planning to - get aid.- adele lyons, mississippi gulf - coast chamber of commerce - director &- ceo: " some of the various programs have deadlines, and if- people have not - applied, they really need to ge- on that and get with their loca- banker, for the ppp - program, specifically.

The main- street lending program, which - came out after- ppp, still there's funds- available there, but ppp is the- one that most small businesses- have been looking at, and if- they haven't done that and- intend to do that, i would- suggest they do that soon so th- money doesn't run out."

As for butch simpson and his- employees, they're just glad- - - - to be back in business.

- in gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.

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