Downtown businesses feel impacts from worldwide supply shortage

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As major retailers across the nation continue to see supply chain problems resulting from the pandemic, local downtown Columbia businesses are feeling the effects.

From the grocery store to local everyday restaurants, the supply chain crisis has caused price hikes and supply shortages.

Economists say the crisis was magnified by COVID-19. "It all goes back to the pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted all markets," Mark Zandi, Chief Economist said.

"Partly because of factory shutdowns in China driven by delta variant outbreaks. On the U.S. side the issue is much more with labor theres a shortage of longshore workers and truckers," Megan Greene Global economist said.

Although some businesses haven't seen significant food shortages, others have had to go to certain lengths to keep their business open.

Jatueon Wadtananussorn, manager at Chim's Thai Kitchen has had to travel just to get the food they need.

"We actually drive ourselves, our personal truck, to St. Louis or Kansas City so we can get the supplies. We go out there once a month to pick up the extra supplies we need just to keep our business open," Wadtananussorn said.

Charlie Palmer, manager at Gumby's pizza in downtown Columbia has seen a shortage in a few items.

"A couple of meats here and there like our pepperonis. We can't get all of or Canadian bacon," Palmer said.

Gumby's has seen a significant shortage in their plastic ranch cup supply.

"I'm not sure what kind of plastic it is, but those ranch cups are impossible to get," Palmer said.

The current trucker shortage is another issue for downtown businesses.

"A lot of our supplies are on those trucks and we cant do anything about it," Palmer said.

Some businesses expressed concern and said the biggest shortage is a labor shortage.

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