In the face of mounting economic pressures from President Trump’s expanding trade war, small business owners in East Atlanta, including Nate Minor of ScreenFixing, are grappling with how to maintain their operations. Minor, whose repair shop has seen steady growth over the years, is concerned that increasing tariffs could jeopardize the health benefits he offers his employees. With tariffs as high as 145% on many of the screens and microchips he relies on, Minor fears that his already-tight margins may force him to raise prices or find costlier parts directly from Apple, which could ultimately drive customers away.

The unpredictable nature of these tariffs, fluctuating day by day, has been difficult for small businesses to navigate. Victoria Park of Park Pet Supply in East Atlanta Village voiced similar concerns, describing how price increases on pet products due to tariffs could lead to reduced inventory and a loss of customers, who might turn to larger retailers like Chewy or PetSmart. The National Federation of Independent Business noted that many small business owners are scaling back their expectations for sales growth due to the uncertainty surrounding trade policies.

In response to these changes, some local entrepreneurs are considering shifting their supply chains to local sources to offset the rising costs of imported goods. Other owners remain calm, knowing that adjusting prices and waiting out the economic fluctuations may be necessary to keep their businesses afloat.

Micki Silvestros, who owns East Atlanta Copy Center and Catalyst Studioz, has faced rising costs for materials, including those for her construction project. The constant tariff changes have made it difficult for her to maintain a stable supply chain, forcing her to adjust her business strategies while still trying to expand.

The collective impact of these trade policies on small businesses in East Atlanta Village reflects a broader trend of economic uncertainty, where small businesses are often forced to make difficult decisions that could affect their long-term viability.