Trending
ELKINS -- Small businesses in Elkins and all over West Virginia have been reopening their doors to the public with certain guidelines in place that prioritize public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robbie Morris, executive director of the Randolph County Development Authority, said that the feedback he's gathered from small businesses has been positive overall.
"There's been a lot of direction from various organizations, whether it's the (Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce) or the Health Department or whatnot, about getting the information out regarding guidelines for the number of people in stores and things of that nature," said Morris. "I think it's gone pretty well, people seem to be very anxious to get back and shop and do some things that they weren't able to do there for awhile."
"The mask issue appears to be the number one divisive issue that I have heard about or seen," he said. "Obviously the guidelines are highly recommending that you wear masks and I've seen it both ways from businesses that are requiring masks in the stores, and then others that are highly suggesting it."
The Delmonte Market in Elkins is among the businesses that are "highly suggesting" facial coverings for shoppers.
"I don't have my staff back to work yet, but it's great. We've had a good local response but we're missing our tourists from the train, obviously," owner Tammy Dolly said. "We are fortunate that we have the two floors and we've always had constant food traffic. It's weird because it tends to spread itself out."
Dolly has noticed that her customers have been willingly following social distancing guidelines by spreading out, utilizing the upstairs and outdoor spaces and stepping back and waiting instead of crowding the register.
"We're not bunched up in here. It's a big store, we have almost 6,000 square feet, so we're fortunate," she said.
Dolly also took advantage of a program offered by Woodlands Development Group that allowed her to further develop and utilize her website and online presence.
"You can go and shop and purchase giftcards directly from the website," she said. "It prints out your gift card or you can email your gift card to your friend or loved one, so that was amazing and such a great program through Woodlands Development."
Sue Pifer of the Elkins Sewing Center has asked customers to wear masks indoors and remain socially distanced while shopping. For those who don't own their own masks, the Sewing Center has provided masks to use and take home.
"We have a clear acrylic drape at the register so we have that kind of protection between the customers and us," said Pifer. "In general, people have been very responsive and respectful when they've been in here."
The Sewing Center was forced to cancel their in-person crafting classes during the shut-down and, at this time, have not yet resumed them.
"At this point we are still watching for guidelines and are still considering how we can resume classes, but it's a little complicated to try to do things like classes in our amount of space, physically," said Pifer. "All of that is temporarily on hold. We just have to see how the situation works out because we want our customers to be safe and we want our staff to be safe."
Lisa Wood, director of the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, has seen many businesses adjust ways to serve their customers during this time.
"I have been pleasantly surprised at the evolution of the way some of the businesses are now operating," Wood said. "They are providing curbside service, adjusting their hours and many of them have adopted a new way of doing things through social media or their website that they weren't doing before."
"I think they should be commended for making changes that both support their business but also allows the community to still support them," she said."
"I have heard no negative comments from the small businesses and I'm very happy to hear that," she said. "I think we're in a learning process and both businesses and customers need to be patient with each other as we navigate this different time in history."
Wood feels as though businesses have truly bonded and are working together to keep the local economy flowing.