Businesses feel burden of COVID-19

By null

By Adelle Ellis and Emma Swanson Times Reporters

Local businesses are feeling the widespread effects of COVID-19 and are working to help stop the spread, even if that means shutting their doors.
Each day as the virus spreads, new decisions are being made by both provincial and local governments, individuals and business owners as to how best deal with the situation now in a preventative manner to ensure the safety of both employees and customers.
As of March 17, several Strathmore businesses decided to close their doors, either opting to work from home, not allowing the general public into their place of business without appointments, or not letting the public in at all by closing completely.
Renaissance Bakery, Minosa Nails and Spa, Joyland Theatre and The Red Carrot decided to close their doors for the foreseeable future and will not be offering any services at this time.
Dobre Food and Catering has closed all dine-in options and will only be offering takeout and delivery.
Gregory, Harriman and Associates LLP is requesting meetings to take place over the phone or through video conferencing. Currently, regular tax deadlines remain in place.
Centre Street Insurance, the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society and Prospect Employment Services have closed their office doors and will be handling clients remotely.
Hillcrest Insurance Ltd. has transitioned their staff to work from home and their office will only be open for pickup and drop-off of mail carriers and drop-off of deposits or withdrawals with minimal staff in office.
The Animal Care Centre of Strathmore is requesting only one owner per animal for appointments and is limiting unnecessary guests at the veterinary hospital.
Happy Cat Sanctuary has closed their adoption centre but they can still be reached through email to complete adoptions. They are closed for the intake of any new cats at this time.
Lil Hoots Consignment Boutique will maintain regular store hours, but will also offer the option for private single-family shopping hours and is also working on opening an online store so that customers can shop from home.
Katy’s Consignment Boutique and Rocky’s Bakery have decreased their store hours.
“Mondays are usually a slow day; today is slower than a slow Monday,” said Rocky Blokland, owner of Rocky’s Bakery on Second Avenue on March 16.
Blokland said he will be “hanging in” and keeping Rocky’s Bakery front door open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to keep the bakery clean, Blokland took the extra precautions of bleaching surfaces and offered antibacterial wipes to “whoever needs them.
“I’m in the baking business,” said Blokland. “I’ve always washed my hands 100 times a day.”
In the 20 years of operating Rocky’s Bakery, Blokland said he’s “seen a lot of tough times come and go,” and that this is “by far the worst I’ve seen it.
“I’m concerned, but not overly worried,” he added. “The sooner we get over this hurdle the better. I don’t give up easy.”
Various churches in Strathmore have closed for several weeks (see church worship ad on page 4 for updated hours).
Many businesses that take appointments, such as Valley Medical Clinic and Crystal Ridge Family Medical Clinic, have shifted to only take over-the-phone “walk-in” time bookings for appointments, and request that patients wait in their vehicles prior to their scheduled appointment.
This list remains uncomplete and in no way represents every businesses decision at this time. To be sure if a business has any changes to hours or operation, please call ahead of time to review their new processes to slow the spread of COVID-19.