Six months into pandemic Barrhead businesses doing better than expected

BARRHEAD-All things considered, Barrhead's business community has done as well as anyone could have hoped in dealing with the coronavirus.

That is what Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce second vice-president Dave Sawatzky told Town and Country This Week. Sawatzky is also the owner of Sanderman's Home Hardware on Barrhead's Main Street.

We reached out to Sawatzky to see how the community's business community has fared during the first six-months of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It hasn't been easy, especially in the early going when many businesses had to temporarily close their doors, or severely curtail their operations," he said.

As part of Alberta Health Services and public health’s effort to slow the infection rate of the virus, the province on March 27 announced the closure of several non-essential businesses including retail, dine-in restaurants, close-contact businesses such as hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, aesthetic services, as well as wellness studios, gyms, and non-emergency and non-critical health services provided by regulated health professionals or registered professionals including dentistry, physiotherapy, massage, podiatry, chiropractic and optometry services. Public facilities such as hockey arenas, curling rinks, public libraries were also included in the order. Non-essential businesses who could limit their contact with the public, through curbside pickup or delivery drop off services, could continue.

However, although no one knew what to expect when the province eased restrictions as part of its Economic Relaunch plan the majority of chamber members "[have] done surprisingly well."

"People worked hard on their businesses and I think for the most part people are happy with the results," he said.

Sawatzky said throughout the pandemic, there has always been a steady stream of traffic downtown and he has heard similar comments from businesses in the industrial area.

"People were not travelling as much and were shopping local, and the people who were working at home at the lake, we saw a good portion of those folks in town," he said

Sawatzky added now that more people are travelling outside of the community residents, still seem to be making a concerted effort to support local businesses.

However, he said that does not mean businesses haven't been impacted. Some have reduced staff and the pandemic has claimed one business casualty, The Source.

Although the business was classified as essential business, The Source closed its doors displaying a sign that it was temporary due to COVID, but they have remained closed. The Town and Country This Week reached out to the company for a comment but has not heard back.

In late July the company removed the Barrhead and Westlock locations from its website. The stores' Facebook page, while still active, state that the locations have been permanently closed and no reason is given. In the last week, the store’s sign was taken down and its window’s papered.

Masks

When asked if the chamber has discussed potentially starting an information campaign asking patrons of member businesses to wear masks, Sawatzky said no.

"We are seeing more people on the street and come into our businesses wearing masks, but there has been no discussion to move beyond leaving it to people to make their own choice," he said. "We'll leave that up to town council to when or if they think it is necessary."

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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