It's no secret that small businesses in Austin had to quickly adapt to the changes brought on by the global pandemic. But those who embraced change, specifically through design, have found new ways to serve the community during these unprecedented times.
Below, we've highlighted three local small businesses that are embracing change through design, collaboration, and more.
The Austin restaurant community was hit especially hard amid the pandemic, but many, like Suerte, found ways to quickly pivot their operations. Your favorite eateries now have to-go cocktails, reservation-only spots now offer takeout, and masks are required every step of the way.
In addition to design, Sam Hellman-Mass, owner of Suerte, credits their ability to pivot during this time to collaboration saying that Suerte has been "embracing the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented individuals, try new ideas and strategies for promoting Suerte to connect with our community."
Throughout the pandemic, Native Hostel has been keeping Austin safe by reinventing design in its backyard, bedrooms, and parlor/patio. Here are a few ways they're doing this:
Owner Antonio Madrid explains how Native Hostel has embraced design throughout the process: "Given the heaviness of the moment, we've leaned into a more playful aesthetic and embraced our communal need for light and levity right now."
COVID-19 has completely reshaped the service industry. Local nail salon, Cute Nail Studio has embraced creativity by incorporating acrylic everywhere! “We’re acrylic heavy both in interior design and nail art, so it was a natural progression,” says Jason Darling, owner of Cute Nail Studio. They also created their own line of scented, glittery hand sanitizers to keep “everyone glittering like a twilight vampire.”
Additionally, they replaced the front door so it can be opened with your elbow and lets in a ton of light.
Jason adds, "We are embracing Agape, Thelema, and the New Aeon, but we're also just here to have a good time."
Learn what else the community is embracing at #ADW20, happening November 9-13! The full schedule is coming soon, but in the meantime you can subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.