It was just about a month ago that people turned out to the city’s first Pittsburgh Fashion Summit to salute the region’s burgeoning style community. Now the group behind that event is doing what it can to help make sure local designers, retailers and salons don’t lose their momentum as a result of COVID-19.
The Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance — a membership-driven group spearheaded by the Downtown Community Development Corp. in partnership with Mayor William Peduto’s office — is working to create opportunities for its members to apply for low-interest small business loans to help them weather the loss of sales from mandated closures prompted by the spread of the novel coronavirus. The alliance also is rolling out the Fashion Business Exchange, a network of retailers selling added-value gift cards online or by phone while their brick-and-mortar locations are temporarily shuttered.
On March 15, all non-essential businesses were asked to close to help curb the spread of the virus. Five days later, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered “non-life-sustaining” businesses in Pennsylvania to shut down their physical locations until further notice. On Monday night, a shelter-in-place mandate went into effect for Allegheny County.
“We’re trying to assist businesses that are really, really in trouble,” said DCDC executive director John Valentine.
The Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance partnered with local foundations and government agencies, which will provide low-interest loans for up to $5,000. The alliance is the facilitator of the process and will help those interested take care of paperwork involved with applying and moving forward.
Those who receive funds are required to use it to pay their employees, but that stipulation will be assessed and may change as the alliance learns more about the needs of Pittsburgh’s fashion community, Mr. Valentine said.
“We’re trying to minimize the loss of jobs.”
Unlike the loans, businesses do not need to be Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance members to participate in the Fashion Business Exchange initiative. Here’s how it works: Retailers and salons sign up for free to join the directory. By doing so, they agree to sell gift cards that will increase in value over time. For example, a gift card purchased for $100 could be redeemed for $115 after 60 days.
This is in an effort to keep people spending money at local shops not only now but also in the future, Mr. Valentine explained. The Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance will promote participating businesses on its digital platforms, including through e-newsletters. Larrimor’s, Joseph Orlando Clothier and the Whimsical Wardrobe mobile boutique are a sampling of retailers who’ve already agreed to participate.
The Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance will continue to brainstorm ways to help local businesses if closures from COVID-19 extend beyond weeks into months.
“We’re trying things,” Mr. Valentine said. “They’re not all going to be great, but we’re thinking out loud and trying to see what we can do to possibly help.”
To learn more or to become a member of the Pittsburgh Fashion Alliance, email info@downtowncdc.org.
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: March 25, 2020, 4:27 p.m.