Madison resident and business owner Marlana Walters said she is experiencing the worst career low in her lifetime.
Walters, owner of Everyday Gourmet, said her business centers around things currently not allowed as they typically draw a crowd of 10 or more and do not comply with social distancing, including entertaining, conferences, events, weddings and more.
“It’s the worst thing that I have experienced in my career. It has brought me to my knees,” Walters said, although she understands the need for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and government-ordered shelter in place in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s just a level of certainty we have never experienced before,” Walters said. “We pride ourselves in personal service and now we have to do that at arm’s length.”
Many, like Walters, with locally-owned, small businesses are struggling. Most do not carry the distinction of being “essential” as outlined by the state-ordered lockdown and have been forced to close their doors through the end of the month, or longer.
Some are unsure if they will be able to reopen even after the pandemic has passed.
In the meantime, businesses across the Jackson metro are determining the best practices to continue doing business while their storefronts are closed to the public.
Technology has played a large role in the process.
Jude Muse, owner of Treehouse Boutique in Fondren, has been open by appointment until the lockdown closed non-essential business last week.
Now, she, along with her employees, is taking appointments via Facetime and filling orders over the phone. They are also making home deliveries.
“We’ve been doing a lot more orders on Instagram, Facebook and calls,” Muse said.
Once orders are placed, employees make doorstep dropoffs or run items out to customers’ vehicles.
“We are trying to be good with limiting interaction,” Muse said. She added she has been able to keep her employees on. They have also made a point to support other local businesses at this time.
“It’s tough for everybody, so that’s why we’re also trying to support where we can while we’re here,” Muse said. “We pickup from local restaurants for lunch or dinner. I hope everybody is thinking about that. It’s still important to do that as we can.”
However, a struggle for Muse and other metro retail stores, has been the influx of spring merchandise they had preordered in anticipation of the season and events, which have changed significantly.
“For retailers, what’s so hard is that we have the merchandise, and now we have to pay for it and there’s not as much business coming in,” Muse said.
In fact, the merchandise she stocks at Treehouse from now through June and July is in. She has had success with online sales, though they miss their customers.
“Everybody should support small businesses so that they can reopen when this is over,” Muse said. “We are all in this together.”
Fran Fowler, owner of Livi James, said she is also feeling the effects coronavirus has had on business.
“We are still doing business, so we are thankful, but we are not really open to the public,” Fowler said.
At Livi James, a children’s boutique, they were initially allowing customers in by appointment. Since the new regulations took effect last week, they have switched over to only taking online sales and filling orders over the phone to be shipped.
“Definitely March was way slower than it should have been,” Fowler said. “The one thing that we are trying to let everyone know is that we can meet needs for Easter pics and happys. Even if we can’t have people in our store, we will be able to ship.”
Fowler has setup a website to help with sales in the meantime.
“It’s such a scary time for a small business,” she said. “Especially in retail because you order so much for spring and school dances and things like that. You order according to those plans.”
At Lee Michaels, owners made the decision to close all store locations temporarily. However, online shopping remains available, although shipping may be delayed while the stores are closed.
Appointment times are also available for those who would like a sales associate to contact them phone.
Staff at Buffalo Peak, a family-owned outdoor retail business in Highland Village, has set up a Venmo account for donations to help its workers during this time while closed.
According to a statement from Buffalo Peak: “One hundred percent of all donations will go directly toward Buffalo Peak employees. We know this is a trying time for everybody.”
The Venmo account will also serve as a way to make purchases.
While the storefront is closed, Buffalo Peak is still offering curbside pickup and free delivery in the metro area.
