clock menu more-arrow no yes
The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Small businesses are essential to America. Here's how they're adapting to this moment.

Featured stories

Summer camps struggled during the pandemic. Here’s how one made it through.

A camp director on how he navigated the safety challenges of Covid-19.

By Luke Winkie

The next generation of Black farmers

“It’s a reminder of my beginnings and who I am”: 3 Black farmers on their relationship to their vocation.

By Anoa Changa

Can food carts survive the pandemic?

By Luke Winkie

What’s new for small businesses in the American Rescue Plan

By Li Zhou

A West Virginia pharmacist on how the state became a vaccine success story

By Drew Massey

Democrats’ remaining options for raising the minimum wage, explained

By Li Zhou and Emily Stewart

Congress is writing up Biden’s stimulus plan. Here’s what’s in it.

By Emily Stewart

The Paycheck Protection Program is now more accessible — but it’s still flawed

By Li Zhou

The $15 minimum wage could be the first major test of Democratic unity 

By Li Zhou

Child care workers are getting left behind in the vaccine rollout

By Anna North

Money Talks: The father and son running a coffeehouse together

By Nicole Dieker

How do you put on a comedy show when laughter is a risk?

By Luke Winkie

“I am humbled by what we’ve been able to create”: Small-business owners on when they knew they’d made it

By Gaby Del Valle

PPP loans were supposed to be forgiven. Business owners say they’re still waiting.

By Bryce Covert

Plants are in demand, but it hasn’t been easy for the stores that sell them

By Luke Winkie

Restaurants have turned to GoFundMe during the pandemic. They shouldn’t have to.

By Rebecca Jennings

How tourist towns might survive the pandemic

By Terry Nguyen

The pandemic seemed like the end for this bed-and-breakfast. Then locals started coming.

By Luke Winkie

The false hope of reopening is killing small businesses

By Emily Stewart

How the pandemic is affecting liquor stores, according to one shop owner

By Luke Winkie

USPS delays are affecting the businesses that need it most

By Gaby Del Valle

Money Talks: The college friends launching a company in a pandemic

By Nicole Dieker

Help us explore what’s working

Part of explaining the news is critically examining potential solutions to big problems. Will you support this work with a gift to Vox?