How are Downtown Merchants Faring during the Lockdown?

Photo supplied. Pastry Peddler, Millbrook

It took a few weeks for most businesses to absorb the impact of the province-wide shut down when it took hold mid-March.  Not surprisingly, some businesses have been able to adapt and find ways to keep some revenue flowing in even as the doors were closed.

Restaurants were able to provide take out services fairly early on, but they had to find the balance that worked for them.  The Pastry Peddler has been offering take out and is able to allow one customer in at a time.  They have five people still working to fill orders that arrive on the phone or through Facebook, and the menu has expanded to include a few more sweets as customers are welcoming comfort food.  They now bake small cakes in foil pans so customers can take them home intact, and have introduced doughnuts.  One of owner Deanna’s concerns when they are eventually allowed to reopen is the capacity limits they might face.  With a seating capacity of 22, a 25% capacity limits in discussion would mean only five diners could be in the café at one time, making outdoor patio space a priority.

After holding off for the first month, Moody’s Bar & Grill began slowly offering curb-side pick up on the weekend and expanded their hours to Wednesday through Saturday.  Business is brisk, so they ask that dinner orders be submitted by 4pm so customers won’t be disappointed.

Jules decided to close down the restaurant attached to the family garage during the pandemic and took the opportunity to renovate and paint the premises.  Owner Julie Clarke looks forward

Millbrook Mercantile has been offering curbside pickup of sandwiches and delicatessen items and will open for in-store shopping this month.

After closing for a few weeks in early April, the Home Hardware store is operating with reduced hours and are limiting their customer count consistent with social distancing requirements.

The only service that Millbrook Farm and Pet Supply is not providing at the moment is their bottle return service.  Pet supplies were deemed an essential services, so that aspect of the business has continued through curb-side pick up until regulations relaxed a few weeks ago.  The garden products have been flying off the shelves, and owner Angie Lloyd has struggled to find more inventory as she has exhausted her current suppliers’ product.  The seed display has been replenished three times already, and suppliers have run out of product.  It seems that self-isolation has stoked a renewed interest in gardening.

Things are slower than usual at the pharmacy but despite the extension of plate renewals, the line ups for the Service Ontario outlet continue on King Street.

One of the retail segments that has been hardest hit by the pandemic is clothing stores, and Oasis Boutique is no exception.  The doors are now open most days from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 4pm, but shoppers are encouraged to call in advance and are asked to wear a mask.  Only one shopper can be in the store at a time to respect social distancing requirements.  Owner Nancy Fallis is experienced at identifying size and suitability of her clothing items, and can recommend potential items.  Customers wanting to try on clothes are asked to be selective these choosing items as they must be left off the shelf for 48 hours and steamed after each handling.

One of the last services scheduled to open are barbers and salons and no date has been set.  Blank Canvas owner Stacey Knight has been spending her time cleaning her studio in preparation for reopening while she studies health and safety guidelines and continuing her hair education in order to keep current on hair trends and techniques.  There is no plan to start booking until a reopening date is announced and will start by rebooking appointments that had to be cancelled when the closure was first announced.  New guidelines will reduce the volume of customers she will be able to accommodate.  In the meantime, she is providing virtual hair consultations by text or telephone.

Photo ©Deborah Carew.

Business is going better than expected for Kate Deklerck at the Quilter’s Bolt.  Part of the reason for that is that she converted her website into an e-commerce site which has led to a constant stream of orders.  For the long weekend, she partnered with her neighbour Philippa of Kawartha Quilting and launched an online event with five other quilt shops and the response was overwhelming Kate recognizes that her industry is one that has experienced an increase in demand during the pandemic because people have time and want to fill that time with something creative and productive. Many people have discovered (or re-discovered) the therapeutic value of sewing and quilting.  Non-quilters have also become clients, purchasing suppliers to make masks.

Local merchants appreciate the support they have received during the pandemic and have seen the Buy Local movement gaining momentum.  Some people are shopping locally to avoid crowds at larger stores, but many are making a conscious effort to support our merchants by purchasing products or gift cards.   Merchants will continue to find ways to serve their customers and build on the loyalty that has been blossoming over the last few months.  KG.

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