BUFFALO (WBEN) - Just one day before Thanksgiving and two days before the start of the busiest shopping season of the year, local business owners are worried that a large portion of Erie County is destined for red zone status.
If that announcement comes, as many seem to suspect it will, any non-essential business within the red zone would have to close their doors to the public.
"As a toy store, obviously, a good portion, if not almost half of our business happens in the last two months of the year," said TreeHouse Toy Store Owner Gaetana Schueckler. "It does concern me that our doors could somehow not be open to the public for shopping because of the types of products that we carry."
"I feel like we're kind of treading water," added ShoeFly Owner Sue Marfino. "Nobody is becoming an millionaire this year; it's almost like you just have to do what you gotta do to move your inventory, keep customers happy, keep customers loyal to you, do the best you can do to stay afloat, and whatever happens on the other side, nobody is going to know until we get there."
In the event of Buffalo and other parts of Erie County moving into a red zone, Marfino said ShoeFly is prepared to return to a curbside and local home delivery, as well as move all inventory over to their website. Although people like to go into the store to try on shoes, Marfino said "it's the best we can do to make it work."
As for TreeHouse, Schueckler noted that they've partnered with a local delivery service to make next day shipping a possibility.
"We have a full service website," she said. "We have taken on extra staff members to boost our website, as we now have 80-90% of our store online."
Mayor Byron Brown noted his concern for local businesses following a Tuesday afternoon press conference at City Hall.
"My heart goes out to these businesses," Brown began. "I've personally spoken to many business owners who are struggling to keep their businesses afloat, and who are struggling to keep people employed. Right now, if businesses in the State of New York, in Buffalo, in Erie County have to close and there's no stimulus from the federal government, we will lose a lot of businesses."
Perhaps another issue - the convenience of large retailers that have the potential to make the holiday season a one-stop shop, as WalMart and Target both sell toys, shoes, clothing and food.
"Everything has its place, but a large chain is never fully integrated with the community in which it serves," said Schueckler. "To be able to say that we've been here this long, it's because of our customers and or support, but also because of our ability to pivot, be flexible and be creative - that's what an entrepreneur, that's what a small business has the ability to do.
"It does matter who you shop with," she continued. "Who you connect with today, who you support today, that's going to be the businesses that you're able to connect with and support tomorrow."
"I feel like you take for granted the many things you look at as you take a drive down the street, and if those things weren't there, it just wouldn't be your neighborhood," said Marfino. "Whatever you want to see at the other end of this pandemic, you have to support it or it won't be there."
The Link LonkNovember 25, 2020 at 05:00PM
https://www.radio.com/wben/news/what-if-parts-of-erie-county-go-red
What if parts of Erie County go red? - RADIO.COM
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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