Ongoing change in economic conditions, including tariffs, has made it difficult for small businesses to keep up with big corporations.
“Sixty percent of small businesses report that tariffs have increased their costs, forcing many to raise prices and delay expansions,” according to Dow Jones.
Small upstarts and local community efforts lose profits as bigger businesses take over the economy and control pricing. It’s difficult not to recognize these big corporations when they are at the corner of every street across the country.
Eugene alone has over 800 local businesses within technology, wood production and food & beverage industries that provide over 14,000 jobs in the community.
I visited two small businesses in the Eugene area both located southwest of campus along Willamette Street.
Tsunami Books is a local bookstore that sells new, used and out-of-print books at affordable prices. The store is situated at 2585 Willamette St., owned by Scott Landfield and has been operating for 29 years. Living in Eugene since 1978, Landfield has seen the town and the University of Oregon campus evolve over time.
“We are losing the town that made it the popular town everybody hears about,” Landfield said. “Not because we had a few trees in the old days but because of the remarkable people who came here.”
In my conversation with Landfield, he spoke on the ongoing issues he has been facing over the years, including changes in policies for small businesses.
The Trump administration has made a number of changes to small business standards that have faced public scrutiny and has risked susceptibility to corporate capture. This includes the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which aims to target alleged contract abuses derived from the Biden administration. This program impacts foreign nationals, adding to the administration’s immigration enforcement regime.
While strict scrutiny and heavy regulations negatively impact these smaller businesses, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided trillions of tax breaks to wealthy individuals and big corporations.
So while the top 1% retain their profits, small business owners like Landfield have to comply with ongoing firm regulations to remain in operation.
Another local business I visited was Capella Market, a natural foods store where locals come to buy fresh, locally sourced produce. Located at 2489 Willamette Street, the small business has been serving the Eugene community for over 40 years.
Sylvia Quesada has been working there for the past eight years.
“There is a group of very loyal, regular customers who spend a lot of money here,” Quesada said. “In spite of rising prices, this group of people are committed to shopping here, just because they support the store and the people here.”
As the cost of living continues to rise, including the rise of grocery products, it can create difficulties for smaller businesses that have to compete with the pricing that big corporations are able to offer.
“Everything is so expensive and people are watching every single penny. Some people only shop on the senior discount days we have on Sundays and Wednesdays, where most products are 10% off,” Quesada said.
The veteran Capella employee also discussed the importance of having an exchange of support with other local businesses in the area.
There are a great number of local stores that UO students and the surrounding community can check out. With spring term now here, the weather will be perfect to take a stroll around Eugene and visit these charming spots.
