Small businesses proving themselves resilient despite pandemic challenges When everything ground to a halt on March 15 in Ontario in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, most predicted small business would be devastated. There were early signs here to back up that prediction. Castle Keep, a personal support workerfocused business, closed April 17. Acu Total Health, a local acupuncturist, closed soon after. In Fenelon Falls, Dolce and Kawartha Shortbread bakeries closed due to financial pressures from the pandemic. And yet as Kawartha Lakes has begun opening for shopping, dining and other services, it seems we’re making it through without the level of business loss that was expected. The Advocate contacted the Lindsay downtown BIA, the Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce and the Fenelon Falls Chamber of Commerce to see how things are going in the three largest local centres.
The BIA general manager credits a combination of targeted, quick-response federal programs and the fact that many businesses had already changed their business operations, expecting a slower year anyway due to downtown reconstruction. The portrait, so far at least, is one of resilience. Melissa McFarland, general manager of the Lindsay downtown BIA, says although three other businesses — Buck or Two Dollar Store, Hair Care Salon on William St. N. and the shoe repair shop on William St. S.
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— have closed since the pandemic, “none of them were COVID-19 related and would have closed this spring regardless,” as leases were up or businesses were sold for personal reasons. The BIA general manager credits a combination of targeted, quick-response federal programs and the fact that many businesses had already changed their business operations, expecting a slower year anyway due to downtown reconstruction. “But the most important element was the tenacity of the businesses, many of whom started online stores, kept active on social media, were doing takeout or curbside pickups and using the opportunity to give excellent service to their customers — it was all enough for them to hang on,” says McFarland. She also credits the community for showing “incredible support,” with people going out of their way to support local businesses. Denise Benning-Reid, manager of the Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce, says she didn’t know of any outright closures in the village from the pandemic as of press time. The only storefront that has officially closed is the Kawartha Mediums Zen Den and that is because it went online during the pandemic “and it has worked out very well,” says Bennett-Reid. Zen Den co-owner, Emalee Kidman, says the store is now a “thriving online empire.” Benning-Reid says retail and restaurant sales are “not at traditional levels, but the town seems busy now that the summer cottage and boating season has arrived and there are people out and about.” However, she cautions, “Given that many of our businesses count on the high summer season to make up for the quieter winter, we may not know the full effect of the pandemic until we get through this season.” The Bobcaygeon chamber manager also feels that the combination of the resilience and creativity of local
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