State’s small retailers may be among first to reopen

Gov. Ned Lamont believes small retail businesses may begin to reopen in the coming weeks with safety measures in place, a move welcomed by the businesses but one that means new challenges as they continue to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let’s think about all those Main Street businesses we can open up safely,” he said Wednesday. “Safely means you can wear the mask, have the social distancing. So a lot of those retail stores on Main

Street — the toy store in Middletown, the shoe store — makes sense if we can do it in an appropriate way.”

Pointing to a recent downward trend in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Lamont has said announcements about lifting restrictions for certain businesses could come within a week. An advisory group he has put together to study the issue will make a presentation Thursday. Lamont said in a recent interview that he believes it is safer to open small retail shops before

businesses such as bars, restaurants, barbershops or nail salons.

“I think what they opened in Georgia will be the last things we open,” he said during an appearance on MSNBC. “Those are the places, you know massage, bars and the such, there it’s tough to socially distance and that’s going to take a while.”

Lamont has ordered nonessential businesses closed through at least May 20, forcing many small retailers to move to delivery or curbside pickup. But with their doors closed, business for many has slowed.

At Fleet Feet, a running store in West Hartford, business is down 80% to 85%, owner Stephanie Blozy said. The store has remained open through the pandemic offering curbside pickup and virtual shoe fittings through Zoom.

“I like to say we’re working 10 times harder than usual for only 10% of the revenue during this time,” Blozy said.

She had to furlough 27 employees, and hopes to receive funds from the Paycheck Protection Program to keep them on the payroll. Blozy, her sister who co-owns the store and two managers make up the workforce currently running the store. She was able to bring on three part-time staffers to help with the virtual shoe fittings.

Blozy hopes the state provides clear guidelines for businesses once they are able to reopen, including a limit on store capacity, strict social distancing rules in-store and more.

“There’s a balance between the safety of your citizens, but also the economic viability of your town,” Blozy said. “I’m patient enough to say I like 14 days of declining infections and hospitalizations to say, ‘Hey, we’re flattening the curve, and easing in with some restrictions.’”

Daswani Clothiers, a men’s clothing store in West Hartford, has been aggressively pursuing new ways to digitally connect with customers.

“I’m in an ever-changing type of industry; my customers rely on us for fresh goods, style and input,” said owner Manor Daswani. “I have a whole store full of healthy, fresh goods that none of my customers can see unless they’ve been following us on social media or if they’ve taken the initiative for FaceTime sales.”

Typically, there are four people working in the store, but during the pandemic they are just two, he said.

“As long as our customers feel comfortable leaving home and coming in, we are happy to work with them, taking all precautions necessary,” Daswani said of the potential that customers will be allowed back in. It is likely the store will use appointments or limit the number of customers, as they focus on safety and comfort, he said.

R.J. Julia Booksellers, with shops in Madison and Middletown, has been planning for how they would handle reopening. Following restrictions from the governor, they have pivoted to shipping or curbside pickup to get books, puzzles and the like to customers.

They would welcome opening doors to customers, but have to think about how to keep everyone safe.

“It’s going to be tricky. We are not opposed to it,” said Lori Fazio, R.J. Julia’s chief operating officer. “We really want to think it through and make sure we are prepared for both our customers and the staffing in the store.”

Ron Brown, who owns Brown’s Flowers on Main Street in Manchester, said his business has taken a 50% dip compared to April 2019.

Opening their doors could help, especially as Mother’s Day approaches, but Brown is concerned that some of his employees would not want to return with customers in the store.

“I have part of my staff here,” he said. “I hope we are going to survive this, but, financially, it’s going to be a major problem. But I don’t feel it’s within my capabilities or my power … to insist that anyone works. I don’t think it’s right.”

“We really want to think it through and make sure we are prepared for both our customers and the staffing in the store.”

Lori Fazio, R.J. Julia’s chief operating officer