CINCINNATI, Ohio — It’s a critical time for many businesses this year as the holiday shopping continues. For a local business in the Over The Rhine district in downtown Cincinnati, this season is more important than ever. 

What You Need To Know

  • GO(O)D Co. Apparel opened on Vine St in OTR just weeks before the pandemic caused business to shut down

  • Donny Harper, the owner, says business has been down 30% because of the pandemic

  • He says shopping local this holiday season is key for many small businesses to remain open

​It’s been a dream for Donny Harper to open his business right here in the heart of OTR. But unfortunately, that dream came true just weeks before the pandemic hit.

“It was going really good and then we moved here in March and in the middle of March we had to shut down for the pandemic," Harper said.

Harper owns GO(O)D Co. Apparel, a business he started six years ago and has grown enough to be a storefront on the busiest street in Cincinnati.

Or, at least, it was.

“Cutting our hours, there’s less traffic here now, and so, it affected the business in a big way," he said.

The closure of restaurants and other businesses around GO(O)D Co. has led to what Harper says is less than half of the foot traffic than usual and a drop of sales by 30%. Which is why the next few weeks are crucial.

“All businesses look forward to the holiday season because people are out getting gifts for their loved ones and for themselves," Harper said. "So, it’s critical for our business to get some of that traffic in.”

Harper says a big reason for their business staying open through the pandemic is because of what his company stands for. He believes others want to share its positive message.

“I’m good company, I want to wear something called Good Company and that’s what we named our clothing line is GO(O)D Company Apparel because it’s vital, it’s important to watch the company that you surround yourself with," he said.

And even with the struggle of the last nine months, Harper is still making sure to give back to the community by donating a Good Giver sweatshirt to the Cincinnati Gospel Mission for every one sold. He says through it all, he knows he can count on the community to support him.

“The support is amazing and it’s been amazing since day one," Harper said. "I’m really thankful for the people who support Good Company.”