📉 From Malls to Minimum Wage: This Week’s Small Business Shifts

Welcome back to AI for Small Business! This week’s stories highlight ripple effects that don’t always make headlines: how mall bankruptcies reshape lease terms, why Google’s hub signals a fight for SMB loyalty, and what the shutdown already means for Main Street. Let’s dive in.

Chain Store Bankruptcies Put Malls and Small Tenants on Shaky Ground

When anchor tenants vanish, landlords scramble to fill the gaps. For small businesses, that may open opportunities to negotiate flexible or short-term leases in spaces that once had premium prices. The risk is that less foot traffic follows them into those empty halls.

I grew up during peak mall and worked in one for a year or two during high school and fondly remember the sense of community of a mall; but it was a time and place, and the time is in the past.

Google’s New Small Business Resource Hub

Google has bundled its marketing, SEO, and website resources into one central hub. The move makes it easier for SMBs to find help but also reinforces Google’s influence over how businesses build and promote themselves online.

A google place entry (the info box you see in the google search results, or in google maps) is a basic requirement for any business that wants an online presence. It’s good Google is making this process easier.

Seattle’s 2026 Minimum Wage Increase

Seattle’s new minimum wage takes effect in 2026. The two-year lead time gives owners a rare chance to plan ahead—whether that means testing automation, adjusting pricing, or rethinking staffing models—rather than scrambling at the last minute.

Government Shutdown: What It Means for SMBs

The shutdown is already halting SBA loans, freezing permits, and pausing contracts. For small businesses that depend on federal approvals or funding, it is not an abstract Washington fight. It’s an immediate disruption of cash flow and growth plans.

It’s unclear how long this shutdown will last, but tell us, is this impacting your business?

Local SBA Offices Close Doors During Shutdown

In Kansas and other states, SBA offices are going dark. That means no loan processing, no mentoring, and no community programs. For entrepreneurs who rely on the SBA as their only free advisory service, the impact is direct and personal.

Best AI Receptionist for a Dance Studio?

A studio owner asked Reddit for the best AI receptionist. The responses show a growing trend: SMB owners are no longer asking “should I use AI” but “which AI fits my niche.” The tools are being evaluated on industry-specific performance, not just generic features.

I had to get a new tire a few weeks ago and booked the whole thing via an AI agent, and wanted to hate it… but it was far better than a phone tree and was just effective enough to be past the uncanny valley. This tech is here to stay.

Libraries as Business Accelerators

Libraries are expanding into co-working, workshops, and even startup incubators. They are becoming micro-accelerators, offering free infrastructure and networking that small businesses often can’t afford elsewhere.

The more libraries the better!

Royal Caribbean Launches SMB Accelerator in Alaska

The cruise line is mentoring tour operators and service providers in Alaska, betting that stronger local ecosystems make its own tourism pipeline more resilient. It’s a rare example of a corporation incubating small businesses that feed directly into its supply chain.

I’m a fan of this kind of targeted outreach and support, where a company recognizes that growing the overall economy of the place the company works benefits that community and the company.

✨ Your Turn

Would you take a lease in a half-empty mall? Are you planning now for wage increases? Has the shutdown hit your SBA relationships already?

Reply and share how these shifts are showing up in your business.