Checking In On Our Favorite Local Businesses
The Rational's team speaks to local business owners about how COVID-19 is affecting them.
Illustration by Ally Hart
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the shutdown of countless businesses worldwide. Beloved small businesses are getting hit the hardest, as many business owners have been forced to adapt if possible, and face the very real possibilities of cutting back hours, laying off staff or shutting for good.
By continuing to purchase goods, or even gift cards, we can keep our favorite small businesses open.
Our team at The Rational spoke to business owners in various states: Sweet Generation Bakery and the Down & Quilt Shop in New York City; Corrina’s Candles in Ohio; MISA Floral in Washington D.C.; Sofia to the Rescue in New Jersey, and South Barbershop in Texas, to check in on how business is doing and how we can help.
Senior editor, Lauren Perez, checked in with Amy Chasan, Founder and CEO of Sweet Generation, a Manhattan bakery with its own youth internship program, who on top of everything, just had a baby — congrats Amy!
How has the team at Sweet Generation been weathering this big change?
This has been really taxing on our whole team, but we are fortunate to be able to continue operating as takeout and delivery, which has allowed us to keep the team employed at whatever level they are comfortable with and desire. We are taking it day by day — some days are much harder than others, but we really feel like we are in this together. Everyone is stepping up to do whatever they can to weather this terrible storm.
What kind of changes have you had to implement to keep business running?
Photo courtesy of Sweet Generation
We have adjusted our business hours in the cafe to better meet the needs of the community, and we staff the shop with just one staff member on the counter and one in the kitchen in order to comply with social distancing mandates and keep our team healthy. Because of so many closing mandates, we lost about 95% of our wholesale accounts overnight (clients like Madison Square Garden and Broadway theaters) and this has been catastrophic for us. That slowed our overall production dramatically. But our cafe has been busier than usual, likely because so many neighboring cafes have had to close.
Additionally, our grant for the RISE program from the Manhattan DA's Office has really helped support our sustainability during such uncertain times — and has made it possible for us to maintain employment of all RISE and bakery staff, which truly feels like a miracle in such times.
Have you noticed any changes in customer buying habits?
Customers have been super grateful to be able to walk in and pick up a birthday cake for their kiddo's birthday — because even in a pandemic, life goes on and birthdays deserve celebration (even in quarantine)!
Similarly, people are looking for activities to do at home, so our cookie, cake, and brownie baking kits have been super popular as well. Sometimes it's the small things that make an impossible circumstance feel manageable and we feel really fortunate to be able to support the community in this way.
What does this pause mean for the RISE program and its interns?
We are taking this time to continue to refine our RISE program and curriculum. In the wake of the City's Summer Youth Employment Program being cancelled, it is clear that welcoming a summer intern cohort simply won't be a feasible or safe option.
We currently employ six former youth interns and in the meantime, we are hyper-focused on their training and professional development. We look forward to welcoming a new group of young people as soon as it is safe for them and for our team to do so.
How can people best support Sweet Generation, especially at this time?
The best way to support us during this very trying time is by purchasing products at our shop if you are in NYC, or by purchasing gift cards either for personal later use or to send to a friend. And finally, you can make a donation to RISE here. Every little bit of support helps!
Contributing writer, Jessica Leeds Richman, spoke with Corrina Colyer, the owner of Ohio-based Corrina’s Candles.
How are you holding up?
Thank you for asking. I am doing well and taking things day by day. Corrina's Candles is still up and running at the moment. We are focusing on our online store and how we can serve our customers’ needs at this time.
What kind of changes have you had to implement to keep business running? Has there been any slowdown in production?
Business is different for us right now. We went from stocking products in 13+ local retailers weekly and weekend craft shows to solely selling on our e-commerce website. Since the pandemic [started], our online community has shown so much love to small businesses like ours, and we have seen an increase in orders. We are so grateful for our community. We are constantly trying to create new fragrance products that our customers can enjoy while they stay inside. Right now on our social media, we are talking a lot about how fragrances can change the vibe and atmosphere of a space. We have been creating bundles of products to help change up the space when transitioning into different parts of the day like working from home to relaxing in the evening.
Have you noticed any changes in customers' buying habits?
Currently we are seeing a trend in customers purchasing a variety of scents in different products like wax melts, candles, and room sprays.
How can people best support Corrina's right now?
People can support us right now by just sharing our name. You don't always have to buy from a business to show your support like telling friends and family about us, leaving a review, and engaging in social media content.
The Rational’s founder, Katy Sacks, spoke with Tracey Rosen, co-owner of the Down & Quilt Shop on NYC’s Upper West Side.
Tracey Rosen, co-owner of the Down & Quilt Shop in the Upper West Side, stands in front of her store in July 2020
Tracey, can you tell me the story behind Down & Quilt and what makes it special to so many people?
The Down Quilt Shop has been on the Upper West Side for 37 years. We have watched as our customers have children and now those children are now having children of their own and they too shop at The Down Quilt Shop.
What kind of changes did you have to implement to keep the business running through NY:Pause?
We were very limited as to how we could continue when New York was shut down. We were only able to make a few sales through texts, phone calls, and emails. Beth (the business’ co-owner) and I take a very hands-on approach to our business. While the city was shut down, we sent things directly from our vendors to our customers. Phase 1 was the green light we were waiting for. We had a table set up outside with some of our goods and we would bring quilts, sheets, shams, rugs, and samples to the door for people to look at and or buy. It’s really important for our clients to touch and feel our products.
Have you noticed any changes in customer habits?
Our customers have been very supportive by buying things from us so we can stay in business. Rent is very expensive so it has not been easy for us, which I’m sure has been the case for all little stores. We are just happy to start again.
How can people best support Down & Quilt, especially at this time? Are there support opportunities for people not in the NYC area?
Come on by! If you can’t, we can take pictures, text, and even email. We love to help people with their bedding needs. Call us. We can do lots of things via the phone, like back in the “olden days.” Tracey and Beth are here for the duration!
Contributing writer, Sofia Maame, spoke with Michelle Samson, a floral designer at MISA Floral in Washington D.C.
Tell me more about MISA Floral? Your Instagram is gorgeous.
I think people usually associate flowers with weddings and events. I actually like to work on editorial projects and present flowers in a way you wouldn't normally see them designed. It's more like a prop rather than just a random bouquet. I feel like flowers are easy to work with, so I like to present them in other ways. I like the whole process from when you cut a flower, it's already slowly dying, to when it's completely dried and all the petals have fallen off. I relate that to time and how it's fleeting. It's a flower.
How can people support you during and after COVID?
Right now you can still order flowers from florists for pickup. I also go to a wholesaler that's up and running for pre-orders. When you order flowers, you're also supporting the entire operation. There's other people at play. It's not just the designer who's selling the product, but local farmers and what not. They need everybody's support continuously.
What would you say to encourage creative small businesses at this time?
Well we don't know what's going to happen. I think just keeping a positive mindset, but you also have to be realistic. Of course your business is going to be slower, but maybe perhaps thinking of other ways in which you could provide your service. I saw that Seda [clothing store] at shopkeepers DC is now offering groceries. I feel like this is the time to be creative and think of another way to do business, not just what you would normally do.
Contributing writer, Jamie Zaccaria, checked in with Sofia Pica, owner of her own pet care business, Sofia to the Rescue, based in North Arlington, New Jersey.
Sofia Pica is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and has owned Sofia to the Rescue for the last year. After working in animal hospitals and emergency rooms for almost 20 years, Sofia decided to turn her part-time dog walking and pet sitting into a full-time business based out of North Arlington.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, few people need pet care and Sofia has had to close her business for the past five weeks. She says she is taking things one day at a time and trying her best to stay as safe as possible while hoping to see all her clients again soon. Sofia has been an excellent friend and pet caregiver for me when I have needed her and I hope she can start again when quarantine is lifted.
Editorial assistant, Brandy L. Taylor, spoke with Laleh Rezaie, owner of South Barbershop in Fort Worth, Texas.
First, the question I feel like we're all asking each other nonstop lately: How are you holding up? How has South Barbershop been weathering this big change?
I’m holding up as well as anyone else. The last two months have been a rollercoaster of emotions. My greatest struggle has been this weird mourning process for normalcy I endured. It’s had quite a huge impact on my daily drive and even made me question my industry. Talk about flipping my whole world upside down!
South Barbershop will survive this. I’m fortunate that I am my only employee. I can’t imagine the difficult decisions owners/employers have had to make for the last few months. I’m also fortunate that I was saving (me?? Adulting???) for renovations to the shop. However, living off of those funds for the last 2 months delays my plans.
What kind of changes have you had to implement to keep business running?
Being in an industry that forces close contact with people has completely shut down business. There is no curbside service (but how cool would that be?!). I’ve really focused on eGift Cards and merchandise sales. I got creative and designed some shirts, which is a new skill set I suppose.
Have you noticed any changes in customer habits?
I think the thing that has come to light is how important normalcy is to clients. A barber visit is a form of normalcy for men. Think about it: every month, like clockwork, my clients stop in and get a trim. We talk about the interview they had, or the trip they took, or how their boss is riding them, or that big date they have that night. COVID-19 instantly removed that consistency. Now clients reach out to me via Instagram and Facebook just to say hello. It’s been such a great reminder of the bonds we’ve formed.
How can people best support South Barbershop right now?
Buying a South Barbershop shirt is a great way to directly support. Not only is some cash in my pocket, but it’s a billboard for the shop. But mostly, be kind to your barber or stylist. We’re just people trying to do the best in this ever-changing situation. Follow shop rules. Let them have their lunch. Let them go home on time. Be patient with the scheduling.
It's been an honor to be considered a notable face in the neighborhood, especially in such a male dominated industry. My ambition is to be a great barber. I'm very fortunate that the barbers in Fort Worth support and communicate with their peers. We're all in this together.
*These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
