First name / Hi,
We have a lot of updates and construction going on in our little historic neighborhood. Just this morning, as the porta-potty was being placed in front of our house (across the street), I realized something.
If you personally or your business is going to do something that willbe considered a nusiance, a pain, a disruption to your customers ro even your friends, you need to address it.
Here's the example from my neighborhood. Our neighbors right across the street decided last summer that they want to do an addition to their home. It's a simple addition that will probably be quick. Well, before the plans went to the review board, they invited the immediate neighbors over for pizza and wine, showed us the plans and asked if we were were okay with it.
Was that necessary? Of course not. Was it smart? YES. Did they do it to be “smart?” No. They are just gracious, lvely people who have obviously have a great sense if empathy.
Now a couple of months ago, the commercial building which is catty-corner from our house was sold to another business. One day I woke up to the sound of my Ring doorbell and I could see a guy who looked like he worked in construciton. He tells me that the owner is doing something with the water line and not only will the street be ripped up but they will have to dig in our front yard and we need to move our cars, etc. (and yes, this is all legal through the city).
The guy from the city was lovely, but as it went on for DAYS, I got frustrated. Why couldn't the new owner leave the immediate neighbors at least a NOTE saying he was excited to be in the neighborhood, here were the changes, etc.? We already know that the work on the new business is going to cause a lot of disruption.
The point being, if you are going to close unexpectedly, change your hours, change your process, change the way people can purchase or donate, change the way volunteers are being vetted - whatever it is - tell people.
Maybe you don't need to tell the entire neighborhood, but make sure those closest to you know. This is a great reason to have an email list, by the way.
