Thursday April 2, 2020 ~ WEST SHORE
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Many small shops around the west shore are still open, but with their bottom line showing serious signs of wear and tear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People are staying home in self-isolation and practicing their physical distancing when they do go out for essential errands.
Restrictions by order of the Provincial Health Officer to ensure physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic mean that most retail outlets have reduced services and reduced hours. That allows for more time to stock shelves and do a deeper clean, as well as for staff to have more time to recuperate at home each day or evening.
Coffee shops can only provide take-out. Today some reported to West Shore Voice News a revenue drop of between 60% and 70%. Pilgrim Coffee House in Colwood and Serious Coffee in View Royal both have the tables and chairs in their usual busy seating areas all clustered and pushed back. But their regular clientele are still dropping in for fresh coffee takeout or to purchase bags of coffee beans or grounds.
Some shops are open but without staff immediately on hand can’t do all that much. Big O Tires on Island Highway in View Royal can do emergency repairs by appointment.
The federal government is offering a 75% wage subsidy but it still means a business would have to carry 25% of wages as well as active operating costs.
Many small to medium size businesses are not eager to take on that sort of drain on whatever reserve they may have. Current revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic would likely not cover the normal cost of regular operations.
Meanwhile, grocery stores are seeing a booming business. Even if they can’t have more than 50 people in the store at one time, visits by customers will of course continue for the purchase of food.
However, due to the self-isolation at home that is ordered by the Provincial Health Officer, many grocery outlets are providing home delivery which has boosted the sales profile of larger grocery chains like Thrifty Foods.
One Thrifty Foods delivery person today, en route in Langford, said he’s never been busier.
Families that must remain in self-isolation — especially if they’ve returned from travel — will need continual top-ups to their grocery supply at home.
And health supplements stores are seeing continued strong customer traffic. House of Nutrition in Colwood is seeing regular customers coming in for what they usually buy plus more for immune system support.
OakTree Naturals in Langford sells a range of vitamins and supplements and also natural cleaning products; they will take orders by phone (payment by e-transfer or credit card) with customers dropping by for a quick pickup or awaiting home delivery.
Various types of signage to remind customers about physical distancing is in place at every business outlet that remains open in the west shore during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information about altered store hours, payment methods and options for delivery are posted on various local retail websites.