Downtown to ‘reopen’ this weekend
The Downtown Association of Hot Springs is hosting an official “reopening” this weekend, urging all merchants to reopen and asking local residents to show their “love and support” for downtown.
“Our governor is opening the state for business and we are ready,” according to a promotion sent out via email by The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. “Now is the perfect time to come see us with plenty of parking, few outof-town visitors, no big crowds and lots of space to safely shop and dine while social distancing.”
It notes that downtown businesses are taking “all necessary precautions” to provide a “safe, clean and healthy experience.”
To make it a well-rounded event, the association will also offer giveaways throughout the weekend.
“Come see us by making plans to visit downtown this weekend and show your love and support for your hometown,” the promotion says.
The association held a meeting by teleconferencing on May 5 that showed the “overwhelming majority” of members were ready to advertise that downtown is open for “safe and clean” business beginning this weekend, the email said.
With plans still “firming up,” the email said the marketing campaign for reopening downtown may include:
• Shooting an “uplifting” video for social media advertisements showing businesses opening back up.
• The chamber donating its full-page advertisement in The Sentinel-Record.
• A campaign on radio US Stations and KVRE advertising the effort.
• Running a promotion where customers may enter a drawing for several $500 downtown shopping sprees — this idea became more popular than all stores providing a blanket 10% promotion.
• Supplying helium balloons to tie onto each sandwich board further drawing attention to how many stores are open from the street and the sidewalk.
• Featuring the event on downtown electronic marquees.
• A sign in each store window with reopening branding detailing the precautions downtown stores are taking to stay safe, clean and healthy.
• Making sure to use the right messaging to encourage safe, clean and socially distant retail shopping and restaurant dining per the Arkansas Department of Health, as well as downtown has plenty of space to “roam and enjoy.”
“Please help get the word out to your business neighbors that we are planning this reopening initiative and if they aren’t already planning to be open, the May 15th weekend might be the right time,” the email said. “It’s the weekend before Memorial Day and our goal is to encourage locals to come shop and dine while there are still no large out of town crowds.”
It is noted in the email that DAHS is not implying the reopening is mandatory for downtown businesses, but “it is sounding like the majority of businesses are planning to be open.”
According to the ADH, the April 5 directive from Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith increased social distancing requirements for businesses, requiring they limit person-to-person contact and maintain appropriate social distancing of at least 6 feet to prevent the spread of the virus.
Retail stores are to implement the following social distancing protocols:
• Limit the number of people who can enter the facility at any one time to ensure that
6 feet of social distancing can be maintained and consider implementing a “one person out/one person in” policy.
• Areas where lines may form should be marked on the floor to provide customers
6 feet of separation in all directions or close some pointof-sale machines to provide
6 feet of separation between customers.
• Two-sided checkout lanes should be restricted to one side only.
• Masks and gloves should be provided to employees who wish to use them.
• Provide an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for employees and customers to use when entering the store.
• Implement contactless payment systems or provide for disinfection of all point-ofsale machines including pens and styluses after each use.
• Clean and sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Post a sign at the entrance of the facility informing all employees, customers and congregants that they should avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever; maintain a minimum 6-foot distance from one another; sneeze and cough into one’s elbow; refrain from shaking hands or engaging in any unnecessary physical contact.