RALLY AROUND REOPENING
Businesses, restaurants welcome support through pandemic
For many businesses 2020 got off to a pretty good start — the region was experiencing low unemployment numbers and clients and customers had expendable income. Some business owners were projecting that 2020 would be among their best years.
The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed in January. By March, the coronavirus pandemic brought the world, nation and local economies to a screeching halt — especially for small business owners.
While grocery stores and some of the larger “big-box” stores remained open, smaller businesses, retailers and restaurants were forced to close under Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s order March 19 that all non-life sustaining businesses needed to close to reduce the spread of the virus.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a similar order a couple of days later.
An initial two-week closure order turned to four weeks, then two months, then almost three months before the greater Philadelphia region in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey began to reopen.
Some businesses remained closed for the entire time, while others shifted or pivoted their business models to find a way to operate — albeit in limited fashion. They exhibited resilience in the face of a health crisis.
Over the past few months, some businesses have seized on the opportunity the pandemic brought to shift their focus — adding technology and/or more robust ecommerce options, offering same-day delivery and finding new ways to engage their customers.
Restaurants, for example, focused on curbside pickup and delivery when dine-in options were eliminated. When outdoor dining was allowed — communities expanded options for restaurants without outdoor dining to be able to offer it. Parking lots and onstreet parking spaces were converted into a place to dine.
Restaurants, already struggling, donated food to frontline workers or their own displaced employees.
Retailers beefed up their online presences, or created an online presence, to continue sales. Some launched curbside and delivery options.
Literally overnight, the shifts began. And communities have rallied around their small businesses.
Virtual tip jars were established to get tips to furloughed or laid-off food and beverage workers, and gift card purchase programs spread with consumers purchasing gift cards from area businesses, including some that were closed.
One such initiative was the Shop Small to Win Big initiative in support of businesses along the Route 422 corridor in Montgomery County. Businesses donated $100 gift cards for two raffles in April and May, and to qualify, customers had to make a single $50 purchase during a week-long window of time.
Consumers spent more than $148,000 in support of the businesses.
Montco boroughs, restaurants work together
Restaurants and borough officials are working together to put downtown establishments in the best position for success despite a tough economic climate.
“I just think it’s the time to be grateful for what we have and that we’re able to put people to work,” said Justin Weathers, coowner of Stove and Tap in Lansdale.
Some local restaurants focused on perfecting outdoor dining, which was initially allowed during the yellow phase implemented by Gov. Tom Wolf as a way to lift restrictions initially imposed to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pennsylvania.
“We knew that outdoor open air would be more desirable so we[‘re] ... concentrat[ing] on our area of making that better and more approachable,” Weathers said.
John Ernst, Lansdale’s borough manager, noted an ordinance making restaurants eligible for outdoor dining. Officials examine parameters including sidewalk spacing and pedestrian accessibility.
“When there’s an opportunity to let these businesses start to get themselves back on their feet and start to provide a product for all of the residents and visitors who are really anxious to ... go to a restaurant and get out of the house,” Ernst said. “Our role is to try and help do that as quickly and as efficiently as we can.”
In an effort to provide assistance to the local restaurant community in North Wales, some establishments “expanded their outdoor seating to accommodate the outdoor dining,” according to Borough Manager Christine Hart.
Hart said she relied on guidance from several entities including the area’s chamber of commerce, and county and federal health agencies.
Nearby, Ambler Main Street Manager Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier worked with borough staff and the Ambler Police Department
to funnel outdoor dining requests through the appropriate channels. Still, she maintained the need to continue supporting restaurants.
“I think we are all really working hard as a community to do takeout,” Wahl Kunzier said.
As the pandemic put a strain on the area’s economy, local staff and area business owners agreed on the need to maintain good working relationships.
“We are proud to say that we stay in constant contact with our downtown businesses,” Hart said. “They call when they need, they email and they reach out, and we’d like to think we communicate effectively.”
As a liaison with the Ambler borough, Wahl Kunzier said it’s been a team effort to support the business community.
“Everyone is really trying to