AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – Many businesses are still struggling to reopen, and one local woman’s cry for help is gaining attention on social media.
Jeannie Shelton, owner of Bennie’s Seafood and Oyster House in Madison Heights, posted a tearful plea to Facebook.
The Struggle is real!!
Posted by Bennie's Seafood and Oyster House on Saturday, May 15, 2021
Shelton tells 10 News she can barely pay the bills and hasn’t paid herself in two months because of higher prices on seafood over the winter, and most people didn’t attend holiday parties, where there’d often be seafood.
She hopes that by drawing attention to the struggle, others will shop local.
“I mean, we are struggling, but I think it’s in a whole all small businesses are struggling; and that’s what hurts because we are the backbone to our communities,” said Shelton.
Her father started their seafood shop from the back of his pick-up truck 40 years ago.