Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz
Craig Rosenberg is eager to reopen Mr. D’s Barbershop after being closed since the county health officer issued a “shelter in place” order March 16, shuttering nonessential businesses to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19.
Rogelio Guzman, owner of Bruno’s Bar and Grill, picks up his business restart kit.
So on Monday, he came by Scotts Valley City Hall to pick up his “business restart kit,” a gallon of locally produced sanitizer and 50 disposable face masks — new essentials for businesses countywide taking advantage of the state’s permission to reopen barbershops and hair salons.
So did Rogelio Guzman, owner of Bruno’s Bar and Grill, which shifted to takeout to survive, but as of Saturday, could take advantage of the state’s permission to offer restaurant seating indoors in Santa Cruz County.
City Manager Tina Friend has 100 kits to give away to help shuttered businesses in Scotts Valley follow the new rules to reopen and keep themselves and their customers safe.
As of June 1, Scotts Valley had few COVID-19 confirmed cases: 7 of the 212 countywide. The county had two deaths early in the pandemic and reports 8,398 negative lab test results, but recent Mother’s Day weekend gatherings in Watsonville led to an increase in cases and hospitalizations, three confirmed and 10 suspected.
Scotts Valley City Manager Tina Friend hands out free business restart kits.
Through the month of May, city officials were working on business recovery plans for the 250 business entities they know operate in Scotts Valley. Like other cities, Scotts Valley has lost sales tax and hotel room tax revenues as residents countywide and statewide were ordered to stay home and retail stores and hotels were closed.
Since May 7, when the county health officer allowed low-risk businesses such as florists, sporting good stores and clothing stores to offer curbside delivery, the city of Scotts Valley stepped up its outreach to business owners.
About 45 people participated in a Zoom webinar where Dedra Bennett, owner of Zinnia’s, Sue Carlson of Classic Hair, and representatives from 1440 Multiversity, Malone’s Grille, and one of the shopping centers, shared their experiences, lessons learned and plans for the future.
Businesses are offering their merchandise online, creating smart-phone based waitlists for restaurant pickup and requiring appointments to observe the six-foot social distancing rule. The six-foot rule was adopted to prevent COVID-19 from being spread via air droplets from one person to another.
Craig Rosenberg is ready to reopen Mr. D’s Barbershop in the Safeway shopping Center after picking up a free business restart kit.
Businesses also are requiring employees to wear masks and gloves, taking their temperatures and sending them home with pay if they are sick. Landlords are making rent adjustments and deferments.
Next came a city survey designed to identify needs and gather recommendations on how to proceed; four dozen businesses responded, with 60 percent saying they’ve reduced their workforce.
A third of the businesses that responded had losses exceeding $100,000; one lost more than $500,000 and one lost more than $2 million. For half the businesses, the loss exceeded $50,000.
One respondent felt the health order “discriminates against small business yet provides amazing revenue opportunities for big box type stores.”
Survey respondents requested a “shop and eat local” campaign, continued alcohol to go/delivery and outside seating options.
With the mandate for six-foot social distancing, restaurant capacity shrinks. So outdoor seating is way to expand that capacity and meet the six-foot rule.
Friend said outdoor seating is on the horizon.
On Friday, the same day county supervisors appealed to the state for a variance to reopen restaurants, hair salons and barbershops, Friend signed an order creating a temporary special permit allowing restaurants to set up outdoor dining in common areas, sidewalks and parking lots.
She said a simple two-page application, no fee required, is all that’s needed with the application to be filed by shopping center owners on behalf of the restaurants in their complex.
Restaurants must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, she added.
She expects outdoor dining to be popular this summer.
“Our weather is so great in Scotts Valley,” she said.
George Jammal, who with his wife owner Flying Crane Massage, would like to reopen, but Gov. Newsom considers massage to be higher risk and not allowed at this stage.
Jammal doesn’t know when he will be able to reopen but he’s preparing for that day. He came by to get his restart kit from the city, and he said he’s purchased $800 worth of supplies he thinks will be necessary.
“I’m optimistic,” he said.