The Pain of Tariffs: A Small Business Perspective

ATLANTA—Nate Minor, the owner of ScreenFixing, a device repair shop, faces a tough choice: cut health benefits for his workers or let rising costs crush his business. Over the past decade, Minor has seen his business thrive, expanding from phone repairs to laptops and gaming consoles, experiencing an annual sales growth of 10-15%. But now, looming tariffs on Chinese imports threaten his hard-won success.

With a staggering 145% import tax on goods from China affecting screens and microchips, Minor is worried that prices will soar. Although President Trump has temporarily exempted some consumer electronics from tariffs, uncertainty looms over future tariffs on chips, amplifying fears among small business owners.

Chaos and Confusion in the Business Community

Minor isn’t alone in his concerns. The unpredictability of the tariff situation is shaking the foundations of Main Street, especially in East Atlanta, where a close-knit community of local businesses thrives. Small business sentiment has soured, forcing owners to scale back their expectations as they brace for the impacts of these erratic trade policies.

Victoria Park, who runs Park Pet Supply, echoes those sentiments. Despite being an indie competitor against giants like Amazon, rising prices and supply uncertainties threaten local shops. Park is already facing price hikes on over 20 pet food types and worries that customers might turn to online retailers if local stores can't meet their needs.

Bracing for Impact: Adapting to New Realities

Small businesses in Georgia are feeling the pinch, with nearly a third reporting significant price increases due to tariffs. As inflation continues to rise, the outlook for local shops remains grim, forcing many to rethink their sourcing and pricing strategies. Some, like King Shands of East Atlanta Treehouse, see the necessity to pivot toward local sourcing to offset costs.

Others remain hopeful, adapting to the changing landscape. Joe Seymour, co-owner of Ten ATL Bar & Lounge, anticipates higher costs for wine and spirits due to tariffs on European imports but stays calm, relying on his loyal clientele. For Micki Silvestros at East Atlanta Copy Center, rising material costs are forcing her business to adapt quickly, seeking out alternative suppliers to maintain her service quality.

The Fight for Sustainability Amidst Tariff Turmoil

While major chains might buffer these fluctuations, small businesses often operate on razor-thin margins. The uncertainty driven by tariffs escalates challenges for these local shops, which are staples of their communities. Business owners like Silvestros find it crucial to diversify their suppliers and manage their resources efficiently to survive a climate of unpredictability.

As local entrepreneurs navigate these turbulent times, the resilience of Main Street remains in question. Will they withstand the corporate competition and tariff chaos, or will these policy shifts push them over the edge? The coming months will be pivotal in determining the fate of small businesses across America.