I own a hair salon. Typically, November is my busiest season. It has been SO quiet. A lot of my colleagues are also saying the same thing and have had to close up shop because of it - or get a second job.
People keep saying it will get better and the economy will bounce back but I don’t know. I am so close from just throwing in the towel, closing up shop and getting a corporate gig.
I know someone who owns a bar in Portland. They said business is down 30% from last year and last year was already a super shitty year. Many others said they probably won’t last the rest of the year. I don’t think you’re alone. It’s weird because it’s not like the economy has tanked (obviously it’s not doing great) but people are spending like it has. I think it’s the fact that the cost of everything has gone up SO MUCH in the last few years, while wages haven’t gone up at all. People have to cut costs where they can to even survive.
They wont acknowledge this situation until 4th quarter earnings come in.