Sacramento store owner faces uncertainty and financial struggles

The owner of the Strapping Store in Sacramento is struggling to keep her business afloat amid economic challenges. Susan Stewart shared her concerns in an emotional video online, stating that she is unsure how much longer she can stay in business. Stewart has run the Strapping Store for eight years but has faced tough times over the last year and a half. She explained that her business now operates on a month-to-month basis. Early in 2024, she employed 17 people across four locations but had to lay off most of her staff. Currently, she only has seven employees working for her. January and February were particularly hard months for retail, and despite hopes for improvement in March, Stewart is still struggling. She mentioned the difficulty of paying rent for April as she has only two weekends left to make money. Additionally, she is dealing with new tariffs that started on March 15. Many of her suppliers warned her that these tariffs would increase her costs significantly. The situation is not unique to Stewart. Liz Williams from the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce highlighted the challenges businesses face today, including unpredictability in the market. However, the local community has rallied around Stewart. Many residents appreciate her honesty and want to support her during hard times. Local artist Karen Chen expressed her love for the store, noting how it had supported her work. Another supporter, Jennifer Ruben, encouraged others to help local businesses not just during the holidays but throughout the year. In an effort to raise funds, Stewart will host a sale at her warehouse on Power Inn Road, offering discounts of up to 70% on many items. She hopes this will help her pay her employees by the end of the week.