The pandemic left many local mom and pop shops struggling to keep their doors open.

Mom's Ceramics Studio in North Massapequa was no exception, making Wednesday's National Mom and Pop Business Day especially important this year.

"We could have 30 people in here a night on a regular night and now we're lucky if we have five," says Catherine Camisa.

People are being encouraged to remember locally-owned small businesses Wednesday and to stop local.

PSEG Long Island announced Tuesday that the company is adding another $500,000 in grant money to assist small businesses.

Camisa says it's a great idea to give back to local businesses and keep dollars on Long Island.

"We do fundraisers for all the locals all the time, every week we do a fundraiser for somebody and help out," Camisa says. "It's two-fold. I'm helping them, but they are also helping me."