Local businesses doing what they can to stay safely open

By COLLIN GALLANT on March 26, 2020.

A joe to go is offered through a makeshift take-out window at Station Coffee Co. located in downtown Medicine Hat on Tuesday. With Hatters practising "social distancing," local businesses are adjusting their operations, hoping to remain open during a hard drop in customer visits.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Local businesses will not only have to weather a harsh downturn in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, but adapt if they want to emerge or succeed in the recovery, the head of a local business association says.

With a new week of social distancing in full swing, parking lots are empty, and a call to avoid close contact has nearly shut down business activity beyond the need for essential goods like groceries or gasoline.

Some businesses began offering delivery or drive-up service, take-out windows, or online sales to salvage what sales they can or to show solidarity with residents who are either stuck or staying at home, or need to go out, but are limiting physical contact.

But the worry is there.

Many business owners are doing the right thing as recommended by health authority officials, and for the greater good, but can’t help but worry about the short- and long-term implications, said Jeremy Silver, head of the City Centre Development Agency.

“There’s not one of us – any business owner anywhere – that wants to be responsible for anyone catching this,” he told the News on Wednesday, saying many are closed or operating with caution for the greater good. “But they are really scared.”

And with so much economic worry, many consumers will likely begin to conserve disposable income well into the future, and weeks of staying indoors may reinforce online shopping habits.

That could leave many brick-and-mortar retailers in the lurch, but also challenge all service outlets and others to modernize or face extended hardship.

What’s happening now could be a new reality, he said, even when the pandemic crisis passes eventually.

“We’re going have to evolve or we’re not going to make it,” he said

“It will force us into doing something we should have been doing for years, which is putting inventory online, offering delivery and service – the days of browsing, I think, are over.

“If you want to beat Amazon, you have to beat them on their level.”

Mayor Ted Clugston has said he’s heard from desperate business owners that are worried if they’ll ever re-open.

Throughout the city, businesses have begun to alter their operations to be conscious of “social distance.”

Station Coffee on Second Street quickly transformed a front window this week to a take-out window while the doors to the downtown hangout are closed to the general public.

Others, such as the Roastery on Third, are closed but promoting online sales of locally roasted beans.

Other retailers, like Once upon a Child, are offering pickup and delivery service for games and toys to help parents with children at home without the luxury of playdates.

A wide variety of restaurants are open only for take-out or delivery through online ordering and delivery services.

Many are also donating fresh food and produce to social service agencies, unable to sell it, but not wanting it to go to waste.

Tracy Noullett, chair of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce, told the News that she’s proud of the community response so far as companies fill essential roles.

“I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen of businesses stepping up to fill the gaps, and our community needs that,” she said, adding that all businesses should know that the existing multi-agency business task force – including the business groups and government – will work to mitigate damage and encourage recovery.

“Everybody is there with ideas about how to help the community and its encouraging to see everyone come together.”

Individually however, it’s not hard to imagine concern spiralling, or increased isolation as employers try to salvage their businesses.

In response the Chamber of Commerce is offering a week-long series of web-based tutorials for business owners to navigate the hard turn in business conditions and manage or take part in newly announced federal and provincial government supports for businesses and employees.

Topics range from wage subsidies to maintaining employees, to how to properly process layoffs and other HR issues.

A daily speaker series at 7:30 each morning can be accessed through the Chamber website.