Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) celebrated Small Business Saturday by visiting shopping local at small businesses in Lowell, Marlborough, and Townsend.

“Small businesses continue to be some of the most impacted by challenges brought about by COVID-19. Yet, they continue to work every day to overcome those hurdles to serve their communities and keep workers on payroll. Small Business Saturday is an important reminder that as we celebrate the holiday season this year, we must support the small businesses that make up the backbone of our local economy,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

Today marks the 10^th anniversary of the first ever Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday that encourages support for small businesses that are often overlooked on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Trahan has made visiting and recognizing small businesses in the Third District on Small Business Saturday a yearly tradition since she was first elected.

Trahan’s first stop was at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus in Lowell where she purchased breakfast and coffee. Her office assisted the owner, Andrew Jacobson, through the Paycheck Protection Program application process to ensure they could keep their business afloat and continue paying their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Lori’s staff followed up and checked in on the progress of my loan applications which allowed me to continually pay my employees while ensuring that vendors I rely on for supplies could also be paid expeditiously. If your small business needs support, I highly recommend you call Lori – her office supported me when my business needed it most,” said Andrew Jacobson, owner of Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus.

On her second stop, Trahan visited Word on the Street in Marlborough. The children’s book and gift shop was another opportunity for Trahan to support a small business and its workers by shopping local while also completing holiday shopping for her two young daughters.

“Some people have commented that I must be crazy for opening a small business in the middle of a pandemic.  But I had a hunch based on my experience as a parent, a librarian, and a Marlborough resident, that there are plenty of book lovers like me in this community, and we were all in need of a bookstore.  This community has proven me right!  Word on the Street is less than two months old, but this little store is already developing a growing list of regular customers.  I listen to them (the big and the small!) and I learn each day how to make the store better.  Independent bookstores provide curated collections, serendipitous browsing, and customer service the likes of which you definitely cannot get from an online warehouse,” said Alyson Cox, owner of Word on the Street.

Following her stop at the art store, Trahan visited a second Marlborough small business, Post Road Art Center. The small business is owned and operated by Randi Isaacson, who also volunteered as a judge for Trahan’s 2020 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the Third District. Trahan purchased art supplies, prints, and other gifts that she plans to use as presents this holiday season.

“I appreciate that Congresswoman Trahan took the time to stop by Post Road Art Center on Small Business Saturday. Small businesses like mine have borne the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions necessary to slow the spread of the virus. The community support we have been shown has been amazing. People really want to see us pull through, and it really touches me and makes this difficult stretch of time feel worth the extra effort. We work hard to make people feel safe and yet still enjoy their altered shopping experience. We hope people continue to think of us for their holiday needs this season," said Randi Isaacson, owner of Post Road Art Center.

Trahan concluded her small business visits with a stop at Evans on the Common in Townsend. Founded by Gary Evans more than 35 years ago, the footwear, outdoor equipment, and clothing store is home to a historic building originally constructed as a schoolhouse in 1871. Evans on the Common was named the Boston Shoe Travelers Association 2015 Retailer of the Year.

“Over forty years of being in business we have faced many obstacles. Nothing has compared to the devastation of COVID. We would like to thank Congresswoman Lori Trahan for supporting our business during this challenging time. We also appreciate her work in Washington which is bringing awareness to the plight small businesses are facing,” said Matthew Evans, Vice President and Manager of Evans on the Common.

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