Every day feels like two weeks’ worth of news…and much of it distressing.
We are living through a health crisis, an economic crisis, and a social crisis all at once. We have to explain concepts like “social distancing” to our children and explain why now isn’t a good time to visit grandparents.
We see our friends struggling — from neighborhood restaurants to hair salons to everyone whose job requires the opposite of social distancing. We wonder what our communities will look like tomorrow, next week, next month, next year.
These questions and concerns prompted the owner of a much beloved Colorado pizzeria (Sazza) to write an open letter to his customers, his neighbors, his community. He wrote, in part:
“I’ve seen the lines at the big grocery stores and corporate discount warehouses and I understand why. We have stocked our pantry, freezers and have enough toilet paper for all of 2020, but now it is time to support the local mom and pop stores. The businesses that are operated by our neighbors, friends and define what makes Colorado unique. When this pandemic passes and it will pass, let’s make sure that all of our local businesses, the heartbeat of our economy are still there and prepared to offer us their products that make us who we are. . . . .
[T]his is the time for us to step up as a community and define our vision of our neighborhoods. Please, I beg each and everyone one of you, who have the means, to make this time of isolation a time of inspiration. Inspire your neighbors and friends to buy local, let’s define what we want our neighborhoods to look and feel like when we are all able to leisurely leave the safety of our homes.”
Like Sazza’s pizza, Chasing Windmills is based in Colorado.
While our reach in this digital community is local, national, and international, we rely upon real people in real communities to make our vision — to make this dream of ours — come to life. We rely upon merino ranchers in New Zealand and Australia. We rely upon a worker-owned factory in North Carolina to expertly cut and sew our long johns, hoodies, and more. We rely upon our pattern maker in South Carolina to adjust and grade each garment. We rely upon each other in our home office in Colorado — Sarah and JP, partners in all walks of life, juggling family time with work time with personal time.
And, we are forever grateful for the friendships and connections we have made with so many of you, our supporters, throughout the world.
In the weeks and months ahead, all of us will be tested in ways unimaginable just a year ago. During that time of unrest, we hope that our communities can come together — not physically during this time — but in meaningful and profound ways nonetheless. Let’s support each other, help those who are struggling, and show each other renewed patience and kindness.
And, to the extent we’re able, let’s support those businesses that make our communities — local, digital, or otherwise — more vibrant, more alive, more enriching.
We cannot predict what the year ahead holds. But we will be here for you, for merino wool wear of course, but also for inspiration, for a sense of connection, and the promise of hope.
Above all, we wish you health, peace, and resolve in the challenging days ahead.