Work Tip - Closing The Store For Vacation

Ever closed your doors to your store or business for a vacation?

We didn't for the first 6 years of business until we were forced to in 2020. That was the first time I ever made a "closing the store checklist" and had to write down all of the platforms we had to adjust our hours to say we were closed. Since then, we've been giving ourselves a break to close once a year in the summer as a reminder that it's okay to rest.

For a little help in the process so that you can take a break and find some peace, here’s some examples from our checklist and hope it can help you!

5 Main Questions To Ask Yourself

• Who do you need to notify?

  • Eg: Employees, customers, property manager, neighbors, suppliers, USPS

• Where do you need to share this info?

  • Eg: Website, email notice, social media, Google, third party delivery services, phone voicemail, window sign

• When do you need to make the changes?

  • Eg: One month in advance on website and email

• What do you need to do or stop doing?

  • Eg: Send reminders to pick up orders, stop taking orders, clean, lock up valuables

• What do you need to do when you come back?

  • Eg: Undo all communications, restock

When you ask yourself these questions, ask it with your team members too. You will always think you thought of it all, but you didn’t. That’s why teamwork is important because everyone looks at things from a different angle.

erin’s tip: Close for 1 day or pretend you’re going to close for 1 day and walk through these questions. It’s hard to think of it all until you actually do it so start with a baby step. Change it up for just one day or one week. Then rest and re-open. :)