The owner of Local Home & Gifts in Media featured in a local newscast used the spot to emphasize the importance of small businesses to the community.

Owner Kathleen Rode wasn’t sure her gift shop would survive the pandemic, reports Vittoria Woodill for Philadelphia.cbslocal.com.

“There was a lot of problems that we encountered being closed — not having enough money to buy new inventory, not sure if anyone was going to walk in when we reopened,” she said. “We weren’t able to pay our rent, utilities, or pay anyone, so it was really hard. We considered closing. I toyed with the idea a lot.”

She stuck it out, and with community support was able to stay open through the Christmas season of 2020 and beyond.

 “When you’re supporting a small business you’re also supporting a small town, and people love small towns like Media,” she said.

“The reason they love these small towns is because they have these little stores but they do not survive on their own. They do not survive without customers.”

Rode took over the shop in 2014 after being a customer there. The store offers candles, baby gifts, women’s apparel and accessories, jewelry, and other gift items.

Read more at Philadelphia.cbslocal.com.