Small business owners are facing incredible odds in today’s marketplace, and many of them worry about generating enough revenue to stay open. Store managers know that offering sweaty, potential shoppers A/C on a humid, summer day will entice them to come in and browse (and hopefully buy!), so they leave the front door open and cool air spills out onto the sidewalk. Places selling food open their doors so delicious scents will waft out and lure customers. Restaurants are well aware that people love the idea of eating outside but actually want to be comfortable, so they air condition and/or heat the patio.
We don’t need a climate scientist, power company representative, or dad to explain the problem here. It’s obviously wasteful. It’s definitely adding strain to the grid and causing additional pollution. It’s absolutely costing the owner extra money that gets added to the price tag. And worst of all, it’s a practice that is guaranteed to subtly spread the message that energy is not a resource that humans have to consume responsibly.
Luckily, the solution is simple. Shut the door!
Yep, that’s it.
We’re immensely grateful to the majority–the ones who have been making the eco-friendly choice all along. And now we’re asking the last set of local Virginia shops and restaurants to join the growing number that are taking the risk of putting the environment first, and we’re pledging to support them when they do. We promise to come in and compliment their creative window displays, to eat at an inside table on an uncomfortably hot or cold day, to look for a “We’re Open!” sign before assuming they’re not, and to take the time to say “hello” and browse what’s new even if we have to turn a doorknob or push hard on a handle. If you’re ready to reassure small businesses that we need them to survive to create a greener future, we’re asking you to make a commitment to shop and dine at places that have closed their doors to “Seal the Deal.”
Take the Pledge!
I will support restaurants and stores that conserve resources by keeping their doors and windows closed while the heat or air conditioning is running.
We Will Help Them Seal the Deal:
- Liz - Richmond, Virginia
- Tony - Henrico, Virginia
- Amy - Henrico, Virginia
New York City has a law that prohibits businesses from leaving their doors open while running the air conditioning.
This is a Widespread Issue
We’ve walked past open doors in Richmond, Henrico, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, and Virginia Beach so far and are working to contact each business. Click on the yellow doors below to see the number of shops and restaurants with open doors at each location, and then let’s work together to get that number to zero!
Choose Your Own Adventure
Standing in front of a business that is letting its heat or air conditioning escape? You’ve got options!
- Find out if the door is temporarily propped open for a purpose
- Speak to the owner or manager about your concerns
- Contact the business online later to share your observation and start a conversation about energy conservation
- Ask if you can help the planet by closing the door on your way out
Seal the Deal Solutions That Make Us Smile
*Coming soon!*
If you would like to get more involved with this project or have suggestions on how to improve it, please contact us!