04/22/2026
The letter I wrote to the State, on behalf of myself and all of my customers who can no longer get product from me.
“I am writing to formally document the reason for closing my business.
Over a very short period, my operating and personal expenses increased by several thousand dollars per month. This includes rising taxes, licensing fees, regulatory compliance costs, utilities, and other state and local expenses. At the same time, my customers experienced similar increases in their own cost of living, which reduced discretionary spending.
These are the direct results of policy decisions at the state level—policies I did not support.
This created a compounding effect: my costs increased significantly while my revenue became less predictable. There was no gradual adjustment period. These increases happened quickly and simultaneously, leaving no realistic path to stabilize the business.
I built my business with strong sales, community support, and a proven product. However, the current financial environment made it unsustainable to continue. This closure is the direct result of cumulative cost increases that small businesses are expected to absorb without adequate time or support to adjust.
It is also important to note that business owners are impacted at both levels. We absorb increased costs within our businesses while also facing rising expenses in our personal households. Even with a fixed mortgage, my monthly payment increased by over $600/month. In addition, business owners often carry duplicate costs—utilities, insurance, and operational expenses—placing a disproportionate burden on those trying to operate small businesses.
The ripple effects are clear:
• Increased fuel and transportation costs raise supplier pricing
• Businesses are forced to increase prices to survive
• Utilities, insurance, and regulatory costs continue to rise
• Consumers reduce spending, directly impacting small business revenue
This is not a sustainable environment for small businesses.
I am formally stating that this business did not fail due to lack of effort, demand, or mismanagement. It closed because the pace and scale of rising operational and living costs—driven by state and local policy decisions—made it impossible to continue.
As a citizen of this state, I am documenting that these policies have had a direct and devastating financial impact on my livelihood. I urge you to take seriously the cumulative burden being placed on small business owners and the long-term consequences this will have on local economies and communities.”