The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
ESSENTIAL CARE IN CORONAVIRUS TIMES
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service in good shape despite challenges of covid-19 pandemic
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service is open and doing good business despite the fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“I think a lot of the mom and pop shops have shut down during the pandemic,” said Rusty Swetz, owner of the business at 1400 Broadway in Lorain. “But, being one of the mainstays on Broadway, we have really been able to survive the pandemic.”
Swetz said his business actually is in better shape than it was a year ago.
“We are actually up from this same time last year,” he said. “Last year, if you remember, we had Broadway closed for the streetscape.
“That really affected us. Comparatively, we are getting back to normal numbers. With all that in perspective, the virus has not hurt us as much as it has other businesses.”
Swetz said since COVID-19, he has brought in some new customers.
“We are seeing a lot of new faces,” he said. “I think with some other businesses not having regular hours, whoever that may be, it has really brought in more customers.”
Swetz said he did not make wearing gloves and masks mandatory.
“We laxed our rules and regulations the last week or so, but prior to that, we were all wearing masks and rubber gloves,” he said. “I did not make it mandatory, because sometimes in our line of work, masks can be a bit cumbersome.
“I think it’s all what you’re used to. Folks in the medical profession know how to work around them, but our guys have had them fall off their face and whatnot.”
Swetz said he also made sure to have everything wiped down and keep things sanitized.
“I do think society is getting a bit more lax in regards to the pandemic,” he said. “Folks are not as emotional about it as they were just a couple of weeks ago.
“I think it is seen in how me and the guys operate and the customer’s perspective. It has also been easy for us to get what we need to stay safe because my wife (Missy) has actually made masks. She has also made disinfectant for us here. “It makes it so we don’t have to go to a third party to get this stuff. My wife has really been instrumental through the whole process.”
Swetz said he has not had to change hours.
“I did have a sign that said we may have irregular hours, but we never did,” he said. “It was if business demanded deduction, but it never really has.
“Folks are dropping cars off and I’ve also noticed folks would come in and have a buffer of about four to five feet from the counter, so the customers have already taken it upon themselves to practice social distancing.”