COVID-19 impacts small businesses
Small-town retailers deal with virus
By Greg Seubert
Waupaca County has yet to report a case of coronavirus, but the outbreak is still taking its toll on local businesses.
“It’s extremely hard on small businesses and their employees,” said Krista Watson, owner of ScandiHus in Scandinavia. “I have a lot of friends that work in the area that are hurting. It’s really unfortunate.”
Instead of getting ready to celebrate ScandiHus’ third anniversary on April 1, Watson is instead dealing with COVID-19.
“We got rid of all of our chairs and we’re cleaning our door handles as much as possible,” she said April 18 while working at the business, located at 280 N. Main St. “I have a giant thing of disinfectant wipes that we’re running through.”
Gov. Tony Evers has mandated that Wisconsin’s restaurants offer only take-out or delivery as a way to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We’re a coffee shop, so people come to hang out,” Watson said. “We have a meeting space where groups come to do whatever they do, but we can’t do that right now. That’s kind of a bummer.
“We are still getting a number of people coming out and using the drive-thru,” she said. “There are a lot of local people trying to support us and keep us going, which is really nice.”
Besides coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes and frappes, ScandiHus’ menu also includes crepes, ice cream and smoothies.
Watson hasn’t had a problem getting supplies for her business.
“So far, it hasn’t been an issue,” she said. “All of our ingredients are fresh, so people aren’t stockpiling those and we’ve been able to get the amount we need.”
Watson is grateful that her customers are understanding.
“Everyone’s been really cautious,” she said. “We’ve been disinfecting everything and taking precautions everywhere we can. I want everyone to use precaution and only be out if you have to be out. There are a lot of people that still have to go to work and they don’t have a choice. We want to be there for them.”
Bakery loses biggest customer
The virus has also affected Watson’s neighbor, Trout Bum Bakery, 235 N. Main St.
“The (Wisconsin) Veterans Home in King is our biggest customer,” owner Thomas Spoerl said. “They discontinued all of their orders for the rest of this month and for all of April. They have 700 veterans and whenever one of them has a birthday, we’ll do their birthday cake. That’s 700 cakes a year that we ship over there. They order a lot of cookies and holiday stuff for special events. We sign a yearly contract with them and I think we’re into our fourth year. It’s a big account, probably a quarter of our business.
“You just don’t know what’s going to happen next,” he added. “It’s hard to plan. Normally, I’ll have a full board of tickets for people wanting cakes and things like that. Now, there aren’t any tickets. I think people are skeptical about what’s going to happen.”
Spoerl opened the bakery six years ago.
“A lot of customers, especially our older customers, would come in,” he said. “They’re great customers, but now, I don’t see them. A lot of commuters still stop in on their way to work. We also get a lot of campers and tourists.”
Watson and Spoerl haven’t had to cut their workforce.
“I was actually hurting for employees and had some interviews scheduled for yesterday,” Watson said March 18. “I potentially hired people, but I couldn’t tell them a start date. Employee-wise, I was in a really good spot because I didn’t have to cut anyone’s hours.”
Trout Bum Bakery employs high school and college students, who are available if Spoerl needs them.
Another business owner is also dealing with the virus.
Karen Riemer has owned and operated Take Charge Nutrition at 321 S. Bridge St., Manawa, for four years.
“We have healthy shakes, which are meal replacements,” she said. “You can upgrade your healthy tea for a little bit of energy. We have some really good things to help fight off this virus and protect ourselves a little more.
“I wouldn’t say it has affected (business) negatively,” she said. “People are very supportive. They’ll call in their order instead of visiting and that’s what is missed the most. People like to socialize. People aren’t able to do that because we’re respecting the laws that have been put out there for us. I really miss visiting with people. I’m sure it’s the same for them. They would order their tea and like their half-hour or hour break, sit at the table and listen to music.”
Riemer wants to spread the word that her business and others like it are open.
“There are still people that say, ‘What is Take Charge Nutrition?’” she said. “They haven’t heard about us. We’re not just vitamins, like many people think we are. We’re healthy meal replacements. I think people are looking to be healthy and we can help them out. If you would like a coffee, shake or tea from our business, just call in and we’ll get it delivered somehow.”
Healthier habits
Riemer believes there might be a silver lining to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“People are more conscious of keeping their hands washed, especially if they’re handling like money or credit cards,” she said. “Be smart. Go wash your hands and use hand sanitizers and things like that. I do think there is more awareness that we should be more careful with even touching your face and things like that.”
“You’d think that were kind of isolated in the central part of the United States, but it’s creeping closer and closer,” Spoerl said. “I think a lot of people are over-panicking, but on the other flip of the coin, you want everyone to be safe and healthy.”
“I was hoping for the best,” Watson said. “I knew it was going to hit, it was just a matter of time. I thought it was going to be much worse than these first couple of days have been. It still might get there, but we’re not there yet.
“We’re playing it day-by-day,” she added. “It is scary, but you try not to dwell on anything too much. We put up our Easter decorations today because we’re hopeful.”
