Middle Georgia small businesses battle inflation without raising prices

From bath bomb ingredients to boutique clothing, rising costs are squeezing Middle Georgia shop owners who are finding creative ways to avoid raising prices.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Inflation and recent tariffs have impacted large corporations, but what is the impact on small businesses?

Even handmade products cost small businesses big money. That’s the case for Macon’s Mossy Creek Naturals.    

“Eventually at some point, like during Covid, we were making bath bombs,” Manager Ivy Rhoades said. “The citric acid price, because there is a monopoly on the price of citric acid and the manufacturer for citric acid, we ended up not being able to make bath bombs anymore. So just ingredients at some point, depending on how they end up affecting, but we don’t really know how that’s going to end up affecting us.”

Rhoades says her store has not increased its prices and doesn’t want to pass the buck to her loyal customers. 

“I believe, I have that hope that things are going to eventually right themselves,” she said. “So it may be tough for a little bit, like we all had to have the adjustments in 2020, we had to have adjustments. I do think there are going to be adjustments that need to be made, but I do think we’re going to survive this.” 

She says small businesses must stick together during times like this. 

“Keep making products when we can. and keep supporting other small business in our building,” she said. “We support several other small businesses from Georgia itself, so just supporting as many local businesses as we can.” 

Fringe and Frayed Boutique in Warner Robins sells clothing for girls, women and plus size. Owner Jacki Lasher says inflation has impacted every aspect of her store.   

“I’ve noticed due to inflation our items have gone from a dollar up to $15 each per item. and with the amount of inventory I have, that’s a substantial amount,” she said.  

Lasher says she has a plan for keeping her customers coming through the door. 

“We haven’t passed the inflation onto our customers at the point yet,” she said. “And I’m hoping that we don’t. If I keep my costs low, because I’m known to be affordable, and if I keep my prices affordable, then we’ll get more customers. So, even though our prices won’t go up, our customer base will grow, which will even out in the long run.” 

She had this message for other business owners. 

“I think people have finally realized that the local business, this is our life savings,” she said. “This is a lot of people’s survival, this is their livelihood. And people are seeing that now and supporting small business, so, just hang in there.”