TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Small businesses are being hit by inflation from all angles, and with Brew Bank announces its closure on October 23Downtown Topeka is no exception.
“I think we’re all seeing a slowdown in customer spending,” said Nick Xidis, owner of Hazel Hill Chocolate. “It’s hard to pinpoint, but for me, the insurance is double and the food is 20 percent more.”
Hazelnut choline chocolate It has been on Kansas Avenue for more than 20 years.
Owner Nick Xidis says his heart goes out to Brew Bank, which opened just before COVID-19.
“We’re much more established and we can put up with these things, but if we were just starting out and we had all that startup debt and all the things you carry when you start, we would be in serious trouble.” Xidis said.
Hazel Hill makes all their special chocolate in the store. Most chocolate has three key ingredients, but one of them has risen in price over the years.
“Historically, it has been a little less than $3,000 a ton, it has reached $12,000 this year, and right now it is between $7,000 and $8,000 a ton, so cocoa is three or four times more than a year ago” Xidis said.
Supporting the city center when you can will help those who need your penny the most.
“I think we’re going to see a lot more small businesses, especially in the food and services sector, that are going to have a hard time surviving as we go through that spending crunch,” Xidis said. “It’s really important for people to keep that spending local and look, we understand that if you have to cut back, but you also have to support your neighbors, right?”
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