Fighting undeniable challenges

Downtown businesses see more local support during pandemic

There are undeniable challenges for downtown Royal Oak restaurant and retail shop owners as the pandemic limps into its tenth month, but they are seeing increasing support from local patrons.

Lori London, owner of the Write Impressions stationery, card and gift store on Washington Avenue, is seeing that support in words and sales.

“Customers seem genuinely concerned and want their small businesses to survive,” she said. “The community outpouring of support is incredible … it just melts my heart.”

During the Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 local shoppers stepped up.

“It was the best Small Business Saturday we’ve ever had,” said London, who’s been in Royal Oak for 31 years.

City officials have allowed bars and restaurants to use public parking spaces and other outdoor areas to set up outdoor service areas. With the colder weather, there are tents and clear plastic “igloo” domes to seat customers outside.

Another metric for local shopping is the Downtown Dollars gift card program offered since this summer by the city’s Downtown Development Authority for businesses in the district. The egift cards are available online at visitroyaloak.com and can be used at more than 60 downtown shops and restaurants. People who buy the cards for $10, $20, or $50 then get half the amount as a bonus to spend. The DDA has spent $517,000 on the program so far.

“The total redeemed value so far is about $400,000,” said Sean Kammer, adding that the cards are good for six months. “When people redeem the cards they are also spending their own money.”

That means the cards have had an economic impact that translates to ecard buyers spending $794,000 to date.

“We probably had one of the most successful Small Business Saturdays in recent memory,” Kammer said.

London estimates that for every $20 gift card her store took in, the purchase by card holders totaled $40. People are redeeming the cards at a high rate, she said.

“Customers are asking us, ‘How are you doing? We want you to stay in business,’” she said.

Though there are restrictions on in- door dining now until at least Dec. 20, the DDA and county have helped bars and restaurants with grants and other programs. County officials last week announced a $10 million countywide program to support about 1,000 of the businesses struggling to stay open. City officials have allowed bars and restaurants to use public parking spaces and other outdoor areas to set up outdoor service areas. With the colder weather, there are tents and clear plastic “igloo” domes to seat customers outside.

Early this week, the City Commission voted to lower Royal Oak’s annual liquor license renewal fees from $1,000 to $250 in light of financial pressures caused by the pandemic.

Jenna Derrig, vice president of the Royal Oak Restaurant Association, was a co-owner of Mesa Tacos and Tequila on Main Street until it was sold to the nextdoor owner of Tom’s Oyster Bar and Ale Mary’s on Nov. 23.

Business and local support at Mesa was good at the time of sale, Derrig said.

“We were doing great with carryout and when we were open at half capacity everyone was extremely supportive,” she said. “It was amazing. We were very busy and people were telling us they wanted to see us survive.”

Derrig and Michael Sophiea, a former co-owner of Mesa, are getting ready to open a new restaurant bar called Side Bar at the site of the former Town Tavern on Fourth Street.

“We’re hoping to be open by Jan. 1,” she said. “I feel like this is a great city, and Mike and I decided this is where we want to stay.”

Still, there is no denying business owners downtown and employees have faced a number of challenges since the pandemic hit late last winter. Many are waiting until they can again serve indoor customers at half capacity when the state allows.

“All in all, everyone’s a little concerned right now,” Derrig said. “A lot of my fellow owners have done well with carryout and are pleased with the city for allowing exterior dining areas. This is a time when we as business owners have had to adapt.”