Local businesses feeling impacts from coronavirus

Many local businesses are reporting fewer customers as concerns about the coronavirus have kept people home recently.

“I’ve seen a lot less foot activity,” said Rich Senff, owner of Action Sports in Arlington. “I’m not seeing much new customers.” He said most of his business is now coming from orders he already had.

Brandon Wilson, co-owner of Marysville's Wander Coffee Bar, also has seen a decrease in business.

“We’ve seen in a drop of about 20 percent over the last week,” he said. “It’s just people not coming out."

Debi Kokulak, owner of Ava Rose Boutique and Gifts in Arlington, said it hasn't affected her much yet, but she's seeing more signs.

“I’ve been pretty lucky and we have a good customer base, but it is starting to slow down,” she said.

Small-business owners say that they have begun to cut back hours.

“I was just thinking earlier today that I’ll have to email my employees that we’ll have to be cutting back because of this situation. And it doesn’t mean they’re out of a job, but they will be working less,” said Senff. “Obviously, if no money is coming in, it’s tough to put it out."

Wilson said the slow business at his coffee bar has meant sending more people home earlier in their shifts.

“We’re staffing less, just because we have to, and cutting people earlier,” he said.

Local business community members have also heard similar problems.

“Our businesses are already reaching out and telling us that they’re hurting,” said Jesica Stickles, president/CEO of the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.

“Some of our small businesses are already worried about the impact of just the next couple of weeks,” she said.

Lisa Cisneros, president of the Downtown Arlington Business Association, is hearing the same, especially for restaurants.

“I have heard from some that they are already seeing effects,” said Cisneros. “It’s definitely already affecting us."

The chambers themselves have also responded, either by cancelling events or taking more precautions for their events.

“If you come to our events, you’re expected to be in good health,” said Stickles, who added that the Marysville Tulalip chamber will also be changing up their practices, such as not shaking hands.

The Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce is cancelling their upcoming events.

“In order to do our part in minimizing the spread of COVID-19, we felt like it was our social responsibility to cancel our business after-hours event. We plan on rescheduling at a later date” said Mandy Kruger, who works for the Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber officials said that the Federal Small Business Administration will have loans soon available to help businesses through this time.

Stickles said that the Marysville Tulalip Chamber will be able to help members with that info, as well as providing workshops to help businesses through trainings about staff insecurity.

“We’re going to start putting out that information soon,” she said.

Kruger said that the Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce will also continue to provide updates on those measures.

"We’re gathering information daily from our local leaders and city government, posting to Facebook in a timely manner and communicating via email daily. Our goal is to reassure members that were here to serve them to the best of our ability,” she said.

Business owners are still bracing for the upcoming weeks though.

“Business-wise I am concerned. Personally, no, but for my business yes,” said Senff. “I’m not in terrible shape, but it will affect me."

Now, with schools being closed for six weeks, that adds even more uncertainty for local business owners and their staffs.

“School being closed could be beneficial because people are home, or it could mean parents are going to stay home or can’t go to work and their income drops,” said Wilson.

“It’s just up in the air right now,” he said.

The lack of school also increases staff concerns for local businesses.

“For me, my staff all have kids and now that those kids will be home for six weeks we’re going to have to figure out how that is going to work,” said Cisneros, who is the owner of Arlington's Olympic Escrow.

“Most of our small businesses are run by families as well,” she added, and if the owner has to stay home to take care of kids then it means the business may just be closed.

Kokulak encourages those who want to support her business to do so through their online store if they are not able to come in.

“We also have an online store if people want to go to that instead of coming in,” she said.