Tale of a Small Business Owner During Shutdown

by Macy Frazier, Photos by Vinh Huynh

Denise Stickney recalls the events surrounding COVID and their effects on her businesses.

As many Columbusites quarantined to keep The small business community downtown also kept their loved ones safe, small business owners in contact with one another. Owners would call to check struggled to find ways to sustain themselves in and to compare hours and business strategies to stay and their employees. Denise Stickney, owner of open during unprecedented times. Stickney recalls that Vertigo, the Black Cow, and Smoke Bourbon and BBQ, this network was a large source of support for her. recalls that her financial losses started even before the When the CSU dorms closed, several student shutdown. People began hearing about the outbreak employees at Stickney’s businesses had to find places to and avoided crowded areas like restaurants and bars. stay in order to continue working. Some of them were

The dip in sales increased when large downtown able to find friends to stay with while others had to events, like the concert series, were cancelled. Several leave their job to go home. businesses closed their office spaces and employees The financial fallout during the shutdown also worked remotely. With the decreased traffic on caused Stickney to have to make some difficult Broadway, Stickney decided to close down Smoke decisions. She explained, “It was devastating to our Bourbon and BBQ during the shutdown and only open income because that’s when we had to decide who Vertigo and the Black Cow for to-go options. would stay on payroll and who would get laid off.”

Stickney recalls that although the shutdown was difficult, A couple members of the management team were so customers continued their support. “Even though our sales invested in their work that they continued working were extremely [low], people were coming just to make even after Stickney informed them that she would sure that we knew they wanted to support us. I think at not be able to pay them. All employees that were just about every restaurant that stayed open, the employees temporarily laid off were offered their jobs back, but were getting tips like they had never seen before, and it was the businesses are far from recovering. for to-go orders.” Customers promised to keep coming back. Since reopening, Stickney’s businesses have Stickney said that “Many days in the beginning I was in implemented several measures in accordance with tears because I felt that love and support.” CDC guidelines so that customers will have a safe dining experience. In addition to the mask mandate, there are several sanitation stations around all businesses. Each one also has a hand washing station outside in case customers are uncomfortable with going inside. Employees wear shirts with messages about staying safe, such as one that says “wash your hands” three times in a row and another that says “standing together 6 feet apart.” Stickney has also ordered numerous sanitation products to place at individual tables.

“Even though our sales were extremely [low], people were coming just to make sure that we knew they wanted to support us."

DENISE STICKNEY

Vertigo, the Black Cow, and Smoke Bourbon and BBQ are all open for dining again, but all locations are still down about 30% in sales. Stickney explained that until large events return to downtown and surrounding areas, “we’re going to continue hurting.”