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When Stores Open, Will We Be There?

Last week, we learned that some stores in our city were finally allowed to open. Two days ago, I walked across the Johnson Street bridge for the first time in months. It’s always been my favorite route to town, one that I have taken hundreds of times. Yet on Wednesday morning, it was all new, the harbor lying empty and still, the bridge devoid of traffic. I felt like Rip Van Winkle waking from a deep and dreamless sleep. 

I crossed the bridge in less than five minutes and took the crosswalk in front of the Local, where the tables in front were conspicuously empty. Darcy’s across the street was shuttered as well. I was heading through the alley to The Bay, grateful that it was finally open and hadn’t closed its doors permanently, a rumor which had taken hold, and persisted.

At the top of the stairs at Bastion Square, I made a 360-degree turn, taking in the vacant street, where only a few months ago, vendors tempted passersby with their crafted wares. I wandered through, recalling the scarf I bought for myself, and the stone and wire jewelry I purchased for people on my list. When I praised her craftsmanship, the artist, a young girl, assured me she would be there again for the summer. And don’t worry, she said, I’ll have lots more.

When I approached the Bay, the doors eased open, and I entered the foyer, intending to take the escalators directly ahead, which would lead to the woman’s department on the third floor. But I was stopped cold—folding doors barred my entry wherever I turned. I stood there for a moment, reading signs and trying to figure it out. It had turned into a mad, mad world, I realized, but there had to be a way up there. Ignoring the decals instructing me to stick to my side of the passageway (which led to a dead-end), I veered left and proceeded to the end of the hall. There, I walked smack into a wall of escalators, which were turned off and barricaded with yellow safety tape.

Thankfully, a fellow shopper appeared and directed me to the elevator, which I had missed. It would take me as far as the mezzanine, and from there, I would be able to get to The Bay, he said. But when I got there, the doors were locked, with a notice to take another entrance. Baffled, I went back to the elevator and pressed the button to the second floor, where the doors were wide open and welcoming. I was in!

From there, it was easy, and for an hour, I was able to wander from floor to floor, following the rules everywhere I went, of course, and absorbing the ambiance and familiarity of my favorite store. I had planned to do more. I’d hoped to drop in at Munro’s Books (to be open later, a sign said), possibly have tea at Murchie’s. But that was enough for one day—I had to conserve energy for the walk back.

Once home, I mulled it over. Commerce was tough in these times. On a rare drive through the city the other day, I noticed that some shops had boarded their windows, an ominous sign that they had closed for good. I knew it was disastrous for them, and a bad omen for the economic future of this town. 

We are often told that small businesses are the drivers of our economy, the major employers of our workers, and the keepers of our city core. We should be loyal to them, in this critical time of Covid, as they gingerly reopen their doors.

But loyalty to local may be a thing of the past; we see instead, a dangerous trend. Huge corporations like Amazon and Best Buy, already positioned for online success, have seized the day, and are gobbling up the merchandising market. Big box stores with deep pockets, like Walmart and Costco, are ahead of the game, using their technological expertise to adapt quickly to the guidelines set out by the Department of Health.

People, frightened of the virus, and having nowhere to go for things they want and need have been shopping like mad, filling the coffers of merchants who are open and offering curbside pickups and online sales. The government, while helping smaller businesses by providing some rent relief to those who qualify, seems to have neglected to take the next step to help these stores reconfigure their spaces for virus protection. These businesses are left paying for the imposed changes themselves, at a time when they have no income. This has added to their financial disadvantage and pain.

But we can’t pin the decline of retail entirely on the pandemic. The signs were there, with the advent of technology, long before Covid 19 arrived on the scene. E-commerce was already growing in popularity among young consumers. It was only a matter of time before Baby Boomers, initially reluctant to shop online, would join the trend.

Research in promoting online buying was already in the works. Ideas such as augmented reality, technologically making it possible to ‘try on’ clothing through a mirror, and showrooms with online access, but no inventory, were already emerging. The pandemic only accelerated the process.

The threat to brick and mortar businesses, malls, and department stores is real. Just as we saw these places of business grow and flourish for the past 75 years, we may now be witnessing them slowly bleeding out. For many, this crisis may prompt them to quit altogether, leaving their workers in the cold.

For me, the prospect of that happening is grim. I can’t imagine a city without the vibrant physical presence of its shops and stores, and the stability and employment opportunities that they bring.

 

36 thoughts on “When Stores Open, Will We Be There?”

  1. I go to a small, tight-knit yoga studio, run by a single mother who relies on the studio for her entire income. Right before the stay at home order was issued, when the teacher was out of the room before class, I told everyone that I was going to keep paying what I usually paid, even if we couldn’t go to class. A lot if other people have done the same, and we know that our dear teacher will be okay during this time, and that our yoga community will still be there when this is over. Overall, people have been very supportive of small businesses in this area. 🙂

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Bethany, your community can be commended for doing this—how wonderful! I would hope that many consumers would do the same for the businesses they use and love. The measures you have taken are unusual, but I think those who can afford to be generous, are contributing as mush as they can. This seems to be so for my community as well.

    2. Yours is the right attitude. We have done the same (although I am only a yoga wannabe. I am sitting in pain needing a massage!! ) While I think brick and mortar is dying I believe the things we cannot buy online will have a rebirth and strengthening.

  2. When I look around at our context, I see something completely different than you do. I don’t live in an area where shopping and cafeing are big little businesses, there are some but they cater to the affluent few rather than the majority of residents, so they never had a large clientele.
    What I see are the same big chains that served the working people keeping on serving the working people, grocery stores, pharmacies, drive thru Tim Hortons, Walmart, always offered items at prices working people could respond to. Few discretionary dollars were available here, fewer entertainment venues, well I think I’ve painted a picture.
    And what I see are some of the smaller businesses getting their act together big time. The frozen food store, that only had a rickety little web site before the pandemic, adapted within weeks to online shopping. They have a little system where you can fill a shopping cart online, then you talk to them on the phone to provide your credit card info, then they deliver your order. No big expense to doing what they are doing, and they have kept hundreds of loyal customers. Our drug store, I am happy to report, delivers once a week. The grocery stores have a captive audience, big chains, inflexible so they don’t meet the needs of the locals easily, we still have to go to the store to pickup online orders, no one is wearing masks, pathetic effort by the corporation although the local individuals working there are doing their very best.
    What people need most is shelter, food, basic items, new local businesses need to focus on what people need, because in my view that is going to become increasingly all they can afford.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thanks, Anon. Your have given us much food for thought in this comment. Every community is different, and while the businesses you mention are part of the essential service sector, it’s important to remember that behind every small, local, retail business is an owner who has poured money and time into their effort, while providing employment for members of the community. Your ideas are well taken, however, and show that you are a keen observer about what is happening around you. Thanks!

  3. I’ve been thinking about this, too, Diane, though nothing is yet open in my town beyond the essential businesses. With the increasing move to online shopping over the past few decades that you noted, many small towns have already rolled up the sidewalk. Now it does seem inevitable that many more may do likewise. Which leaves us without a sense of place, a center for what is public in our community. The absence of community at all. That’s what I fear most.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Your comment resonated with me. I would grieve for loss of a central place such as a city core, which gives us a sense of community and belonging. We should never allow that to disappear.

  4. Hi, Diane – Slowly the shops in our small town have begun to reopen, most of them very creatively. While keeping our social distance, Richard and I have been trying to support our local small businesses as much as we can. It may just be baby steps, but if everyone did the same we could all help reduce a very grim future.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Baby steps is what we need right now. People do need to feel secure as they venture out into the city communities. But I think I am correct in suspecting that these small businesses have not been helped with the safety provisions they needed to do. That would be a mistake, especially if it makes the difference between survival of a business or giving up!

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thanks, Barry. Just remember: “All who wander, are not lost” I love that quote, and will have to search for it’s source!

      1. That’s partly why I almost never use my GPS. I like to wander, to figure out where I am, and occasionally get lost and find my way home again.

  5. Let’s walk to and support our close by independent shop keepers as much as possible. We have a choice..shop local or shop on line. The personal experience of shopping with friendly people we know who will not only provide the service we want but be very happy to see us is a no brainer. We have waited this long…..let’s show our gratitude for their endurance and welcome them back.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Our support will make a huge difference to them. I’m all for doing that. For what it’s worth, I’m hoping to dedicate my next few blogs to focusing on the issue of survival of these businesses.

  6. Me again. Shops will open gradually as owners feel confident that they are prepared to protect themselves and their customers. There will be big adjustments for everyone but we can do it and we will. We are Westcoasters aren’t we!

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thanks for this, Phyllis. I agree. Today’s TC, however, carries an article on WorkSafe BC, and why they may not be able to help these businesses buy the safety equipment they need to provide. I think more information is needed about this issue.

  7. I have worried about some of my favorite small stores not coming back to life. It seems wrong that Walmart can be open and a small store selling shoes cannot. 🙁

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Walmart sells food and toilet paper—hence they can be declared an essential service. As I’ve said, it’s a mad, mad world, with many things that do not make sense. There is great inequity in our communities—the pandemic has exposed several of them!

  8. Thanks Diane for saying exactly what many of us think and feel. For many weeks now lower Johnson street has given me a very eerie feeling when walking or driving by the closed up, papered windows of these small businesses. I hope they can recover and also hope we do not become consumers who only shop on line…..miss human interaction. So nice to be greeted when entering some of these businesses. Fingers crossed.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thank, Grace! We have all been closed off from each other, and it’s difficult to understand what others have been thinking. But yes, it’s an eerie feeling. Very sad and troubling. I can’t help thinking of the people who have sunk everything into their small retail business, only to see it disappear in a matter of a few short weeks.

  9. I’m very much in two minds about this, Diane. Of course I’d love to see traditional businesses thriving, but my own mobility issues render me very dependent on online shopping. It does sometimes make me feel a little guilty, though!

    The ‘all who wander’ quote you mentioned in another reply is by Tolkien, btw 😊

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thanks for the information, Clive! What a well-read guy! Please don’t feel guilty about using the resources provided for people with challenges. I think some local stores are working to extend their services online. Perhaps you may look into local availability for some of your needs. My local vitamin shop, for example, offers free delivery now.

      1. At least I spent my youth well! That’s happening here with some stores, but the problem for me is that they are mostly selling large packs of goods which aren’t really suitable for someone living on his own. There’s only so much I can stuff in the freezer! I’ve been getting medications delivered, so I’m doing my bit when I can.

        1. Still the Lucky Few

          I agree! Everything seems geared to families of five or more!My freezer is also groaning.

  10. I loved your post. I am still social distancing. My husband goes to the grocery store and through the Walgreens drive through window. I order from Amazon. I am not sure what things will look like post COVID! All be well!

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      I think we are about to see some major changes. For better or worse, people are making a move!

  11. So far our “nonessential” stores here in PA are allowed open for curbside pickup only. For some reason I can’t understand, pizza is not considered essential, even though in my book it’s one of the building blocks of a healthy diet. So we’ve been supporting our pizza place with plenty of curbside pickups.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      I’m a pizza fan as well. That, and pasta, has kept us going these past few weeks!

  12. Our stores as well as door delivery service of groceries and other essentials including restaurant food are already functioning and people do use them without any problem. Being Senior and with COPD I have been advised not to go out and so I don’t but my children do. All Seniors in fact have been advised against going out. There is also a new phenomenon FOGO. Fear Of Going Out.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Yes, Rummuser, I know all about FOMO. I’ve been out a few times (very carefully), and feel a little less stressed about it. I live in an area with very few cases—hope we can maintain that!

  13. Beautifully written piece Dianne. You held me spellbound with your wanderings…I am not a retail shopper and have long embraced the convenience of on-line, but I do love a good mom and pop shop. We do our best to support local businesses, although I am still not comfortable going into a building of any kind where people are not being careful. Malls have been heading into extinction for several years and will likely not exist within the next 5-10 years. I’m actually okay with that.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      I am ambivalent about malls. I can remember the 60s, when they suddenly appeared and became popular. But I have a soft spot for them. They served a very useful purpose during our cold, damp winters. And I have wonderful memories of meeting my mother and sisters in our malls, which offered a haven of comfort and stimulation while I was growing up. So, I’ll be sorry to see them disappear completely. Thanks, Suzanne!

  14. I’m so glad you reminded us that brick and mortar was shifting well before this Pandemic. Change is hard when it involves so many memories. Yet, breaking it down the whole purchasing thing is as old as can be. Hunting, gathering..maybe first as individuals, then as community and then as produce in gardens and trading, bartering, etc. Stalls, corner stores, towns, department stores, malls, etc. What I remember is meeting, color, design, smiles, welcoming. Early on in stories it was a monthly or weekly visit to town. Gossip and conversation. We may think we’ve come a long way but in reality I think not. Convenience has changed everything from how much is available where and at what cost. Once stable jobs change; manufacturing, feeding steam engines, mining, etc. But other jobs are created. We still need to meet and gossip and interact. People will spread out more as working from home is easier and easier, Micro breweries, organic markets, coops loop back. The more things change, the more……..

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