HELENA -- With small businesses feeling to the brunt of the COVID-19 economic strain, two women who live in Helena stepped up to do something about it.
AshLy Tubbs and Karli Mosey created Community Crate, a subscription box service that showcases items from some of Helena's local businesses as way to lend a helping hand to businesses that aren’t able to bring in the cash flow they once saw before the pandemic.
“Downtown businesses are the heart of Helena and they're kind of the backbone of our economy," said Tubbs. "They employ our friends and family and neighbors. So, it's just a really rewarding feeling to be able to walk into one of these small businesses and make a big purchase on behalf of people all across our community.”
Tubbs and Mosey just finished up their April Box which showcased items from Big Dipper, JMacs Pottery, and Montana Book Company to name a few. Chelsia Rice, co-owner of the Montana Book Company said while the increase in purchases was nice, what really touched her was the willingness to help
“It was heartwarming to see that there were people who wanted to genuinely do this," said Rice "An effort to really continue to sustain this vital small business that we have in Helena, all the small businesses.”
Tubbs and Mosey sold out of their April boxes earlier in the month and are already taking pre-orders for their May boxes on their website. Mosey said the box will support, "the local magazine, Gulch Distillery, Wildflower Craft Boutique, Sole Sisters, Birds and Beasley's and the General Mercantile."
