With the beginning of the State of New Hampshire’s phased reopening starting in May, the process of opening a business isn’t as simple as turning the key in the lock and welcoming people back in. There are safety guidelines that must be adhered to, for which the business owner bears the financial, and time, burden.
This isn’t the only consideration. A large number of business owners are skeptical about the safety of opening at this stage and must weigh their economic need to reopen versus the safety of themselves and their customers. Conversely, customers are also considering the safety of starting to shop in-person again at businesses outside of grocery stores and pharmacies.
The Kitchen Andover
Some businesses in Andover, such as The Kitchen Andover, have been able to stay open as an “essential” business by making changes to stay in compliance with the original shutdown rules. Now, in order to expand their offerings, they must make new accommodations and spend more on resources to maintain everyone’s safety. To that end, The Kitchen Andover’s owner Michael Prete related the following about current accommodations and creative changes, as well as plans for the immediate future:
“The Kitchen Andover has been staying ahead of this wave and has been adapting before the need. We closed our doors to inside patrons when we didn’t need to, opened an online ordering and payment system, and opened our drive-up window. We offered bulk meats, produce, baking ingredients, and even masks, sanitizer, and toilet paper at near costs before there was a lack of these items in the grocery store. We have been helping the community with gift cards and free meals as well, with help from some big-hearted local donors to help local families in need.
“Looking at the future, we will soon be offering car service in the front of our building where someone comes out to wait on you, and we have cool trays that perch on your window like the old ‘50s car hop restaurants.
“Customers will be able to dine al fresco with compostable serving ware and tables spread 15 feet apart and sanitized between each party. We are also looking into producing our own retail products, and we will be getting our salads and soups for sale back at the New London Co-op soon, as well as Sunday Lobster Rolls for pick-up at our drive-through window this summer!
“The newest addition is a liquor license, where now you can enjoy local draft beer, a great wine
selection, and some craft cocktails outside or to-go. A new menu is soon to come, featuring more of Chef Michael and the team’s scratch-made innovative food.”
Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service
Another “essential” business that has stayed open, but with the sacrifice of the “personal touch” that is so intrinsic to their nature is Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service. Owner Marion Haffner offers this description of how their business is operating under COVID guidelines:
“Funerals, memorial services, and celebrations have certainly taken on a different look over the last couple of months. The COVID pandemic has robbed us of mourning together as large families and caring communities. Many people crave the hugs and handshakes extended at a time of need and have been forced to wave from a distance. Some families are waiting to have a service until it is allowed and smart to do so. It seems that it must feel so empty without the human contact at the time when it is most needed.
“We have been able to have gatherings of 10 people and must wear masks and stay socially distant. Prearrangements and arrangements are often made over the phone or by mail or e-mail. We have had a Zoom funeral and made recordings. It is so difficult to have families we have known and served for years, or new friends, suffer a loss and not be able to reach out physically or be with them.
“We hope that in the near future we will at least be able to gather in reasonable groups and spaces and support our friends and neighbors. We will still have to be careful about those hugs, but eventually they will return.”
Elbo-Edge Cabins
This next account shows how the virus has a personal effect on a local lodging venue owner. Bill Bardsley shares his thoughts on the factors involved in deciding whether or not to reopen his Elbo-Edge cabins:
“Here I am, a 90-year old man with heart and lung problems. Could there be a better prospect for a fatal case of COVID-19? I was in Arizona when this threat began, and the need for personal distancing and isolation finally came to light in late March. From a small condo in thickly settled Tucson, the idea of getting back to the Andover woods looked pretty appealing.
“My son Nils was there in Tucson, too, and gave life to that idea by renting an RV and driving me back here. We stocked up on food before leaving, so stops en route were limited to gas fill-ups and sleeps. We got out of the rig only at gas stations.
“Back home, life and work in and around the woods and Elbo-Edge cabins are about normal for this season. On rides on local roads during some of our rare nice days, I’ve found neighbors to talk to outdoors, walking, gardening, or sunning. Daughter Christina, who lives across the road, does the grocery shopping, so my trips to the outer world since April 1 have been just two to New London and one to the post office.
“We are leaning toward not opening Elbo-Edge this summer, even though the guests in recent years have all been long-time repeaters. The widely separated cabins would make it easy for people to stay within their own family units, but there remains a risk for travelers arriving and later mixing up at the beach or other gathering spots. I am starting to consult with guests about their thoughts on this.
“All of us have some real problems with this pandemic, but we here in Andover need to be thankful we are not confined in those countless crowded impoverished communities in this country and all over the globe, where handwashing, distancing, and finding masks and gloves is impossible. At the same time, we must not forget the unemployed, the hungry, the otherwise sick, and the challenged mortgage holders, property tax payers, and broken-down car owners right here among us. The difficult world for some is becoming a difficult world for many more.”
Highland Lake Inn
And finally, from the Highland Lake Inn in East Andover, an update on their plans and thoughts concerning re-opening. Both safety and economics are ongoing considerations while, as owner Pecco Beaufays refers to it, “reopening a small lodging business while the danger still is in the air.”
“When we say to our dogs, ‘Let’s go for a walk!’ most dogs react excitedly and start running to the door without concern for bad surprises they might find outside. Dogs know when their leader wants them to go for a walk, and no responsible leader will walk them into danger head-on.
“Can we people trust the advice we are getting? Are we ready to reopen our businesses without adequate mass testing or without a vaccine? We don’t know the answer, but we fear that reality might force us to live and work under the danger of contracting COVID-19 for a long time, since it may be up to two years before there is enough vaccine available, regardless of what we are being told. However, we are all part of a big turning wheel called the economy, and once the lead dogs tell us it is OK to go out into the world again, we will do so.
“Gail and I will re-open our doors at the Highland Lake Inn to accommodate guests, adapting some new service plans to ensure the health and safety of our guests, ourselves, and our community. Some measures are new; others have been standard procedures.
“For example, we have always been proud of our in-house laundry methods — we wash our Italian linens with environmentally safe Miele detergent in high-temperature washing machines that sanitize the linens during their three-and-a-half-hour washing cycles. And all hard surfaces are sanitized regularly.
“Room reservations will be taken with a 24-hour gap between room assignments; that will ultimately reduce availability. Breakfast seating will be staggered for six guests at a time in our dining room. We have rescheduled most weddings to 2020 or to 2021.
“We will continue to adapt to new procedures as necessary, and we are also prepared to return to a complete shutdown if COVID-19 infections increase.
“Maintain your social distance, wear your protective mask, wash your hands, and behave responsibly! We only must blame ourselves if COVID-19 wins this fight.”