In times of uncertainty and shifting change, local business owners are adapting their businesses to better serve the post-COVID-19 climate.
Business owners could shut their doors and hunker away at home. This welcome reprieve isn’t realistic though, as these enterprises represent their livelihood and could jeopardize everything they’ve worked for.
Rob Filby, part owner of Cochrane’s Community Flatbread Co. just opened his doors last November. Since then his team worked to establish themselves and build their clientele and reputation in the town’s tight business community. He said business was good until late February when the coronavirus started to emerge.
“It was a slow progression,” he said about the virus from his Cochrane home. “As soon as people started feeling the pressure of it they started bulk buying all their groceries.”
“People just didn’t think it would be as big as what it was. We didn’t think it could come to Cochrane or Canmore.” Filby is also part-owner of Canmore’s Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub.
He said as residents stocked their homes with groceries and opted to self isolate, they were less likely to go out and eat in restaurants. The restaurant still saw the occasional take-out order, but the customers stopped coming.
“When the onset happened, the restaurant business just sort of dried out.”
Community Flatbread and Co., at 185 1 St E, closed their doors on March 18. Their 15 member staff was laid off and Filby joined his wife and three young children at home.
“It’s uncertain. We own two businesses and we’re expected to pay rent and utilities. The bills are just going to keep piling up. It’s been tough. It’s one of those things that we have to wait out.”
Instead of contemplating his business’s demise Filby decided to discuss options with his distributor, Pratts Food Service. The pair brainstormed and decided to continue to serve the community by delivering various foods including sirloin steaks, ground beef, pork cutlets, bacon, chicken fingers, Atlantic salmon and perogies.
After launching the initiative Filby received 300 email inquiries and 75 order requests.
“Obviously we buy bulk through our supplier, we get a better price than what the supermarkets can offer. The quality of meats that we are offering are a higher standard than what you will get at a supermarket,” Filby said.
He’s hopeful too that relying on delivered food staples will ease the burden on grocery stores and lessen the chance that the virus could spread in the community.
“It gets people out of the supermarkets. That’s the big thing. We’re supposed to be social distancing but you walk into Walmart and there are 300 people walking around. It’s going to prolong everything as long as we keep doing this.”
Next week Filby is adding fresh produce and other food items to the delivery service. He’s also in talks with his chef and pre-made meals could be added. His team is open to suggestions and are active on the business Facebook page.
“It’s just trying to do something a little different for the community.”
An order sheet is available on their Facebook page. All orders can be emailed to [email protected]
