By Jeff Abell
It was a bittersweet feeling for retail businesses forced to close their shops to the public on Thursday.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all non-essential retail owners throughout Iowa to shutter their doors to in-store foot traffic to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak sweeping the globe. The order remains in effect until April 7.
In downtown Burlington, some retail stores stayed open later as the 10 p.m. closure deadline loomed large for businesses who will take a financial hit from prolonged closure. Most small business owners expect to remain operational despite storefronts being closed to the public.
B-Town Comics and Games, Burlington By The Book, and Red Screen Door were a few of the downtown stores that stayed open late before the closure order took effect. Red Screen Door owner Doreen Johnson Roy scrambled to get the word out that her business would be open later than normal to accommodate walk-in customers.
"I was having a hard time getting my video to post last night saying that we were going to stay open later. So, we only had one person come in," she said.
Johnson, like most small business owners, has been working hard to offer customers alternative shopping options, such as curbside pickup, delivery, online gift cards, and social media.
"We are running a shipping special until further notice. I will continue to be at the stores as much as possible, however, all my people will be going on unemployment, so I'll be running back and forth," she said.
Not all retail businesses heeded the governor's call to temporarily close, including Family Video in Burlington. Manager Dane Feenstra said he was uncertain if Family Video was required to close. He added the decision to close is not his but rather that of regional managers.
"It was confusing on whether we had to close so we continue to operate. We've been busy today but that may be because other places are closed. At this point, I'm going to obtain all the relevant information and pass it along," Feenstra said, adding: if he is told to close, he will comply.
Burlington Mayor Jon Billups said he has addressed confusion regarding the closure order. He said business owners uncertain of whether to close should seek guidance from the state or the city.
"There are questions about what is essential and what is not," he said.
As for small businesses struggling during this new economic reality, Steve Frevert, executive director of Downtown Partners, reminded area residents to shop locally at this difficult time.
"Our downtown merchants pride themselves on customer service and are working to provide goods to their customers in every way possible. I encourage people to keep supporting them," he said on Friday. "This crisis will pass, and we want our retailers to emerge strong and ready."
Billups praised Burlington residents for adhering to public health guidelines during the pandemic. He added that the city response to the coronavirus, including closing facilities and buildings, has been effective so far.
"Thankfully, Iowans are law-abiding and respectful," he said.
Feenstra echoed the mayor's sentiment, adding, "I've seen a lot of true human kindness and empathy."
Photo by Jeff Abell
B-Town Comics and Games stayed open Thursday evening before the 10 p.m. state-mandated deadline for the closure of non-essential businesses took effect. The business offers customers curbside delivery, home delivery, online gift cards, and free shipping on most items.