By Casey Coonerty Protti, Owner
The Paycheck Protection Program has been instrumental in giving Bookshop Santa Cruz an option to bring our staff back, whether it is at home or in the store for web order and curbside fulfillment. We had furloughed over 23 employees and they are all now back on payroll.
We created incentive pay for those working in the store and those working at home are receiving 80 percent of their previous hours. It is incredibly hard work to sell our goods in this new way so having a full team to help reinvent our business is key to our long-term survival.
I would love to note that it was our local bank that came through for local business. It reminds me of times after the 1989 earthquake when local banks were the ones who did not give up on local business and helped rebuild downtown.
Curbside pickup is a huge success. It allows Bookshop Santa Cruz to connect in person (safely of course) with our customers and meet their needs quicker than shipping. We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for online orders and the revenue is sustaining us for this time. Santa Cruz has come out in full force to support the local businesses they care about and it shows.