Businesses see effect of COVID-19

Amid recommendations and calls to take precautions against the further spread of COVID-19, local businesses, such as Perry’s Ashley Marie’s Boutique and Jalisco Grill, have altered their business practices or closed for the time being.

Marco of Jalisco Grill on 273 Perry Parkway, Suite A said that their business is down 70%.

“It’s kind of hard. We rotate the guys that work here so that everyone gets a little,” Marco said.

Marco shared that the business has limited its service hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and didn’t open at all this past Sunday. Marco informed that they are currently only offering take-out and curbside pick-up orders and are taking precautions against the virus, such as hourly cleanings and maintaining distance between those working in the restaurant, as well as following the guidelines that the health department has provided.

Sam Satterfield of Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers in Warner Robins said that they were going to stay open as long as they could, but the more information that they heard, the more concerned that they became for their customers as well as employees. The main concern, according to Satterfield, was the how long the virus is said to be able to live on glass and metal surfaces.

Satterfield said that the store closed March 23, for the initial timespan of a week, and then the situation would be assessed again. Satterfield then shared that the situation seemed to be getting worse, and the decision to remain closed was made. The projected date to reopen the store was April 6, said Satterfield, and added that he doesn’t foresee that being a reality. Satterfield said that he would like to see the store reopen sometime around mid-April.

Satterfield shared that though this is a new type of situation to everyone, he is still able to pay his employees and does not plan to let any of them go.

“We’re just riding out this storm, and hopefully, it ends sooner rather than later,” Satterfield said.

According to Lynn Bassett of Ashley Marie’s Boutique—located on Carroll Street—their doors have closed amid concerns of the virus, noting that the store tried to stay open, but that clothing isn’t a need for everyone.

“It just came to the point where we had to shut down—we didn’t have customers coming in the store,” Bassett said. She further explained that last Wednesday marked one week that the store had been closed, and that the Monday and Tuesday before the closing, as well as on that Wednesday, there were no customers in the store.

Bassett said that the company is working on creating their website, but it isn’t up and running as of yet.

“We’re trying to get our website set up; of course, we didn’t know something like this was going to happen,” Bassett said. She noted that the project is being worked on every day. Bassett also shared that a phone number is posted on the door for customers to call in case they needed something, but at the time of her conversation with Houston Home Journal, only one person had called.

In regard to reopening, Bassett explained that she would like to, but that there were also concerns.

“We want to open, but on the other hand, they’re saying to stay home. It’s been so confusing on what to do. I would love to be open, so I’m kind of on the fence of knowing what to do,” Bassett said. The employees of Ashley Marie’s are on standby for when the store reopens. According to Bassett, they are all just taking it day by day.

Bassett shared that the higher that the number of cases of the virus rise, the more nervous they get, and that there is the concern of whether they would do damage by reopening. Bassett explained that her top priority was her employees, utilities, and rent, but she remains hopeful.

“I guess we’re just going to stay Perry strong and hope it passes quickly,” Bassett said.

Owner of The Emporium, Jaclyn Semmelink, informed that the closing of her business over three weeks ago, affected more than 30 small local venders, as The Emporium houses and sells their merchandise under one storefront. Semmelink said that the closure has affected sales, noting that practically all sales were done in-store, but that some vendors have been able to use other avenues, such as social media, to continue sales. The website for the emporium, according to Semmelink, is currently under construction.

Semmelink commented that due to the stimulus package passed by the federal government, her employees are eligible for unemployment. When the store first closed, Semmelink said that it was only planned for two to three weeks; now she said that going forward, it could be another two or maybe four weeks, and that there are also questions on the manner in which the storefront will reopen.

“We’re just kind of playing it by ear as far as when we’ll reopen and how exactly we’ll do it. Is it how you would reopen a normal business, or would we still need to take precautions when we do decide to open back up?” Semmelink said.

Semmelink also shared that amid the crisis, her employees are receiving a chance to take a step back, spend time to focus on things at home, and spend time with their children—things which Semmelink said they wouldn’t normally get to do.

Semmelink said that she doesn’t want anyone to hurt, but to be successful.

“It’s hurt us, but we’re going to survive, and hopefully this will give us time to work on things outside of the store, and things we can’t always do in between customers. When we come back, hopefully we’ll be better than ever,” Semmelink shared.

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