As more and more people stay home to prevent spreading the coronavirus, many local businesses are feeling the pinch.
At the Hound Hut in Gahanna, a daycare, grooming and boarding dog care shop, co-owner Meranda Hendricks says it may have to close soon. Business is down by 75% as more customers work from home or cancel travel plans.
“Like everybody else it’s a totally uncertain,” says Hendricks. “We count on spring break for boarding is a big boost to our business to keep us going until summer, ‘til Memorial weekend. And of course with no travel no business.”
The President and CEO of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Gordon Gough says low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration may help some retailers stay afloat.
“Just giving them a lifeline or cushion to kind of get through this storm,” says Gough. “We are in un-chartered waters.”
Gough says the focus has been to keep main retailers, like grocery stores open. He says decreasing store hours to restock shelves and providing seniors with early shopping opportunities will also help everyone stay well.
“None of us have ever experienced anything like what we’re going through and we’re all in this together and we need to stay calm and find ways to work together,” says Gough.
