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How local business owners are dealing with the effects of COVID-19

Covid-19 has effected local businesses around the the globe and that includes the owners in the Town of Cochrane.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.

Covid-19 has effected local businesses around the globe and that includes the owners in the Town of Cochrane. 

“No doubt these are uncertain times for all of us and that includes business,” says Mayor Jeff Genung. “The Town of Cochrane is working to assist our local business community and we’re committed to doing our part through this challenging time.”

Some business owners have been forced to shut down, make major changes in terms of managing and adjusting their sanitation policies and even resorting to laying off workers in order to make it through the pandemic. Others however have had to make minor changes such as Fenton Automotive, who are taking precautions to make sure they can stay open.

"With the current situation hitting close to home with our first few confirmed cases in Cochrane we are definitely taking precautions. We haven’t noticed a huge slow down in work yet, but I feel that’s due to people’s awareness and severity of the situation. It’s coming, this is just the calm before the storm," said owner Mike Fenton.

"I have very loyal staff who have been with me for years and everyone needs to pay their bills. I have said I will top my guys pay up from whatever the government is willing to help with so that the financial burden is less on them and they can focus more on self-preservation. So I won’t be laying anyone off. In the coming weeks we will see if business gets slower but if the phone still rings enough to make a full day of work here and there then we will come lock ourselves in the building and try to do what we can for people to keep them on the road. But we are taking all precautions to stay safe and healthy so that we can serve our community through this uncertain time."

Other businesses such as Final Touch Art Studio, will be shutting its doors for the time being, with hopes of returning as soon as possible according to studio owner Sharon Kulhavy.

"It is with an extremely sad and broken heart that we will be closing our studio, gallery and retail art supply doors due to the ever-changing news surrounding COVID-19. We are simply trying to help slow the spread of this virus as best we can and ensure the safety of our clientele," she said.

"In 36 years running we have never had to close our doors for any length of time and it saddens me that the time has come due to the fear of this pandemic. Hopefully the sun will shine again soon and we can open our doors to hug the people we love. If anyone needs their supplies please know I am not sick and would open by appointment to buy supplies or retrieve your supplies to keep painting while at home." 

Then there are the businesses that are caught in the middle of shutting down traffic through the store, but finding other ways to sell products such as Kitchen Boutique owner Claire Breeze and her staff. 

"We are closed to the public, but I have one staff member who is packing orders for curbside pickup. We are doing all of our selling through Facebook and taking orders using Messenger, email and phone. I'm personally in quarantine with my family as my son was exposed to two people who have been confirmed with the virus. I have laid off my entire staff so that they are able to try and get some financial support through EI," Breeze said. 

"Business is way slower, but we saw that over the last two weeks as everyone slowly stopped shopping and investing in essentials. I'm thankful that this did not occur in November or December when it is absolutely essential we have a good sales season, but I'm not sure yet what the long-term impact will be for us even in this slower season. Who will still be in business in six months? In one year? Only time will tell and whether or not what we are doing now will slow things down enough for our health care system to cope, but will also not cripple small business financially. Personally I am enjoying quarantine life as I have never had this much time to be at home and enjoy my four wonderful children with no pressure of school, work or traveling to do."

As residents keep mostly to their homes and practice social distancing, local restaurants, bars, and shops are experiencing considerable drops in revenue.

“I know they’ve announced government assistance, but it’s still tough,” said Tony Nicastro, owner of Fireside Eatery and PZA Parlour in Cochrane. “The last thing you want to do is lay off half of your staff, and then they have to worry about how to get support. That’s been the biggest challenge, as well as figuring out how we’re going to maintain the restaurant, moving forward.

“But we’re fortunate enough to have a great community here, and the support of [our landlord] as well. They’ve been helping quite a bit and have been really responsive in letting us know that anything they can do to help is their priority.”

As of March 18, Nicastro said he has laid off half of his employees, and said he prioritized who was kept based on their living situation.

“Anyone who was part-time and staying at home with their parents was obviously lower on the priority scale, and then single mothers ranked higher,” he said. “We’re just trying to fill our hours, even though we don’t necessarily need it. We’re just trying to support them where we can.”

Nicastro’s experience has been far from unique. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) published a survey on March 17, indicating half of Canada’s small- to mid-size enterprises (SMEs) have seen a drop in sales because of COVID-19 – four in 10 respondents reported sales decreases greater than 25 percent.

With files from Scott Strasser of the Rocky View Weekly

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