Moments after Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine issued the “closed and carry-out only” order for the state’s bars and restaurants, Matt Coffland Jr.’s thoughts turned to ripple effects.
His employees. His vendors. His suppliers. His customers. His family.
Coffland owns the Tiger Pub in Shadyside, a popular business that just happens to be both a bar and a restaurant that offers daily lunch specials, nightly events, and an impressive level of community support.
“I just don’t think the governor considered everything involved,” he said. “The trickle-down effect will be absolutely devastating. This is a rash decision that was not necessary, and its effect will last for considerable amount of time. Please pray for us through this dark period of time.
“The last time they shut down the beer and liquor industry down, America ended up in a depression,” he said. “I believe that is where we are now heading.”
Coffland’s Tiger Pub was busy with carry-out orders during today’s lunch rush, but the brisk business did not change his concern for his employees and the state’s food service workers.
“Gov. Dewine’s decision to idle bars and restaurants will have a devastating effect on our whole economy,” he said. “Employees, their families, the vendors and suppliers, the beer and liquor industries … we all have families that we are trying to take care of, and this shutdown will have a broader reach than I think most people realize.”
For Now, Open for Business
Matt Welsch knows quite well the struggles of owning and operating a small business in the city of Wheeling, but the CV-19 pandemic has presented a whole list of new challenges for him and his eatery employees.
“So far, business hasn’t been that bad, but I don’t think anyone knows how much this coronavirus is going to impact all businesses in this area,” he said. “This time of year has proven to be our best at the Vagabond Kitchen, but if this situation lasts for a long time, it’s hard to tell what the impact will be.
“During the winter, you always fear the big snowstorm because the folks around here definitely stay home when that happens,” Welsch continued. “I think we’ve dodged that bullet this time, but now we’re dealing with this coronavirus, and it doesn’t seem as if anyone knows where it’s going and how long this crisis is going to last. No one wants anyone to get sick, but I want my business to last, too.”
Clean and Clean Again.
Welsch and his staff have taken several precautions to ensure the cleanliness at the Vagabond Kitchen.
“We’ve always done a great job with keeping the restaurant as clean as possible, but now we’re wiping down everything many times a day. I really can’t tell you how many times because it’s a constant thing for us,” he explained. “I’m also working directly with the health department, and I’ve told my employees that if they don’t feel well, stay home. I think that’s very important right now.
“When change takes place, no matter what it is, people hunker down. It’s human nature, and it’s true in this valley, too,” Welsch continued. “And now, everyone is being encouraged to hunker down, and the impact of that, right now, can’t be measured. People are understandably concerned, but how that will affect my business, I really don’t know at this point.”
At the Market
Kurt Zende is the manager of Centre Market and serves as the economic development specialist for the city of Wheeling, and during his career he’s experienced recessions, store closures, and changing consumer trends.
But this? A spreading disease that has infected as many as 3,800 Americans and caused at least 68 deaths as of today?
“We have a lot of businesses down here at Centre Market who have never experienced something like this because this is the first time I can remember that such measures are being taken,” he said. “Coleman’s was busy on Friday, of course, but I think the other businesses were down a little because the foot traffic was down.
“People are doing what they have to do to take care of themselves, and that’s very understandable,” Zende said. “What will the impact be? I hate to say this, but we’re going to have to wait and see.”
The Big Wipe Down
Zende and his staff also are taking precautions so consumers visiting Centre Market can be confident that it is a clean environment.
“We’ve done the big wipe down, and that’s going to continue until further notice. Our restrooms have always been cleaned a few times a day, but that has increased with several more times,” Zende explained. “We’re also going to place table covers on all tables, and those will be changed disposed of each time.
“We are taking a lot of measures inside the two market houses so our customers can be confident that they are as sanitary as possible,” he added. “Whatever directives we received, of course, will be followed, but what those will be, I don’t think anyone knows at this time. We’re just going to continue doing what we’re doing so people will feel as if it’s safe to visit us.”
