Andover Business New England Sports Photo Needs Your Support

The new coronavirus has changed life for all of us. Local businesses have taken a huge economic hit, but communities are finding creative ways to support the establishments they know and love.

In an effort to help local businesses in our communities stay connected and succeed, Patch will shine a light on some of them through a series of Q&A articles during this time.

New England Sports Photo (NESP) is one of the businesses in town facing struggles during the coronavirus. You can lend your support by reading more about the company, below, and by contacting them here.

Tell us about your business and its history in your town.

For over 40 years, NESP has been capturing memories in youth sports and schools while also providing local communities with hundreds of thousands of fundraising and donation dollars along with uniform and equipment over the years. We have close ties with almost every community in Massachusetts.

How has the new coronavirus impacted your business and its employees?

NESP relies on communities gathering for youth sports and school. During the new coronavirus crisis, we are all doing our best to flatten the curve with social distancing, so that means we are all making sacrifices for the safety of others. For NESP, that means we don't have work. I cannot pay dozens of freelance photographers, and I laid off some part-time staff.

A few full-time staff members are fortunate enough to have their paychecks continued through the federal Payment Protection Program for two months. I am keeping in touch with all clients to let them know that when their schools and sports leagues are safely able to gather again, I'll be there to provide memories and fundraising opportunities.

How can local customers support you now and in the future?

They can support us by ordering personalized yard signs. The new coronavirus is having an effect on youth sports which plays a critical role in our economy and the development of our youth. The health of our loved ones is most important. A spring without sports is hard, but we’ll all bounce back. Small local businesses, such as NESP, are taking a big hit, so when the current times shift, NESP shifts with it.

NESP is proud to present our newest offering, personalized yard signs, to help bring the community together showing support sports leagues and the kids who loves their sports, but also of our kindergarten, fifth grade, eighth grade and senior graduates. We have personalized signs for your athlete or graduate with their school or league's color theme and name of your school or league. Check out samples by following me on Facebook at Craig Edwards.

Do you have any words of encouragement for your community?

Over the years, NESP’s customers have shown us loyalty and support. During the new coronavirus crisis, our product offerings shifted from photos, but our community continues to do what they do best, support NESP, and other small businesses. Keep your head up, the economy will open again, schools will reopen and sports will resume.

Let's take this time to stay safe, reconnect with love ones and old hobbies. We are all going through various degrees of challenging times right now, but you're not alone and we have a vast community of supportive individuals, business and non-profit organizations to get us through tough times together. Reach out for support.

Are you offering any special services, promotions or hours during this time?

Thank you all for your supporting any small local business, it truly is appreciated. We want to give back to the community, so we are offering our personalized yard signs in which 15 percent of the proceeds will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank in their efforts to help fight hunger in the face against the new coronavirus.

NESP's yard signs prompts social distancing, graduates and sport leagues. I will deliver signs to your address and place them in your lawn to comply with social distancing. Signs can be ordered through me, Craig Edwards, at craig@nesportsphoto.com. I can email you pics of signs and you can see samples if you follow me on Facebook. Please share with your friends, and thanks again for the support.

Do you own a local business in need of a feature on Patch? Fill out the questions in this form for consideration. Or, check out Patch's full list of resources for small businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

Thank you, and stay safe!