On January 20th of 2025, the Trump Administration introduced the most expensive tariffs to date, specifically on fentanyl related products from Canada and Mexico, Venezuelan oil, and globally sourced raw materials. Ever since, the United States and its foreign allies and adversaries alike have had an intense back-and-forth regarding the institution of these tariffs and their consequences; most recently, the Trump Administration rolled back several tariffs on coffee and Brazilian beef, this coming as trade reportedly decreased significantly in August as a result of the tariffs’ implementation. For many Americans, these updates and consequences may seem as though they are happening to an entirely different world, an alternate reality completely removed from our own, but for small business owners, the tariffs have hit a little closer to home.
Enter Ryan Hester, owner of Comfortably Chic, Steam Soapery, the Chester Candle Company, Mercantile on Main, and Hester & Shore: The Kitchen Store. Mr. Hester has been in the business with his family for nearly nine years, following his education in business management and finance. Over time, he and his family have purchased all five properties in downtown Chester following their gradual vacancies, and have been instrumental in preserving the small-town feel of historic Main Street. His businesses offer a diverse range of products, from boutique clothes to custom cosmetics; he certainly is no stranger to many industries. Despite his clear commercial successes, Mr. Hester expressed his concerns about the impacts of the recent tariffs. “So, for example, with our candles, they are made with American glass out of a union in Ohio. However, their prices have gone up because of where they source their glass, their raw ingredient, out of the United States. And you know, our lids on our candles, they’re cork, the vast majority, and as 70-80% of the world’s cork comes out of Portugal, we’re hit with tariffs on those as well,” Mr. Hester then paused, reconsidering, before saying thoughtfully, “You know, it’s all those little things that people don’t consider.”
In Mr. Hester’s case, the premiums that he has been made to pay on Portuguese cork have been largely mitigated, though they remain an extra expense, due to intense lobbying efforts by the Natural Cork Council and US wine industry groups, like the Wine Institute, with the EU and the Portuguese Embassy. Their advocacy has led to the product being excluded from national tariffs through its classification as a unique, naturally sourced product not readily available in the US. Similarly, on the topic of the glass that Mr. Hester referenced earlier, while his business still has to reckon with its earlier value, the retaliatory tariffs created by Canada on the US’ sand have been reduced significantly over time.
But what about the small businesses that are most affected by the Trump Admin’s most significant tariffs?
El Monte Coffee Roasters is located right off the main drag in Chester, NJ, in a cozy, one-story building that features events from anything to do with holiday pictures with Santa to coffee-centered speed dating nights. It is managed by Brianna Panetta and Vicky Mendez, who were able to provide insight into operating in this new economic age. “Business has been steady but more challenging. Costs are noticeably higher than previous years, which has tightened margins,” they said. Ms. Panetta and Ms. Mendez also noted consumers’ decreased will to spend money, something that has also affected Mr. Hester’s business, and which can likely be attributed to the fact that many Americans have felt increasingly economically insecure, especially in the face of rising prices. It was noted that green coffee beans and packaging materials specifically have risen in price, which makes sense as raw beans were markedly the targets of some of Trump Admin’s most severe tariffs, and whose effects, despite their repeal, have yet to reach many consumers until lately due to their movement within the supply chain, say May Angel and Alexander Marrow in their piece, “US coffee drinkers face higher prices even after Trump’s tariff reset”.
So, what to do? How are these businesses and the many others just like them handling their extra expenses? In the Hester Chester empire, for the time being, they’ve decided to keep their prices as constant as possible while they wait it out. “We just don’t really know. We’re trying to keep our prices as steady as possible, especially when dealing with inflation, in order for it to seem like the best deal possible for the consumer. Unfortunately, however, there will be a point when you have to start passing on the cost, but right now we’re trying to do everything in our power not to.” For now, Mr. Hester has maintained his footing, and it appears that at El Monte, they’ve decided to do the same. “We’re currently splitting the cost between the business and customers,” owners Ms. Panetta and Ms. Mendez said in explanation for the slight increase in their pricing, noting that they could be higher. “Absorbing costs is part of business. Sometimes you’ll do well and sometimes you won’t. We remain optimistic but cautious, focusing on efficiency, quality, and strengthening customer relationships.”
Small businesses are not only intrinsically important to the preservation of the rustic charm of towns like Chester, but are also the livelihoods of millions of Americans. Thus, instead of stopping at HomeGoods for a mass-produced mac and cheese-shaped candle (yes, those really do exist) or for a latte from Dunkin’, try a hand-crafted candle from the Chester Candle Company or an iced coffee from El Monte using their craft coffee beans.
In times as uncertain as these, it is up to us as neighbors, consumers, and friends to continue to patronize local businesses and show up for those we care about.
