Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce

VOLUME 42 I NUMBER 4 I APRIL 2018 VOLUME 43 I NUMBER 6 I JUNE 2019 Platinum Level Sustaining Member Compensa ng for COVID-19 Communities across the world have been rocked by the effects of COVID-19. The pandemic has effected every sector of our society, and our local Chamber businesses have been no exception. Facing mandato- ry shut-downs has been a challenge many businesses never imagined when they first opened their doors. Although the past few months have certainly been difficult for the small business community, many have used this time to adapt their strategies to offer new products, services and new methods to keep themselves and their cus- tomers safer. At Wit & Whimzy, located at 152 Front Street in Marietta, they have taken many steps to keep business going. While their physical store is closed, they have been adding products to their website and offer- ing curbside pick-up and local delivery. In preparation for their reopening, they will be limiting the amount of customers in the store, marking the floor for proper social distancing, and wearing masks. They will also have hand sanitizing stations and they had a countertop barrier made to go be- tween the cashier and the customer. Wit & Whimzy was able to purchase this barrier from another Chamber member, Murray's Glass and Automotive Paint, located at 151 Front Street, in Marietta. As an essential business, they have stayed open and have been providing these safety barriers to several local businesses. The shield located at Wit & Whimzy is pic- tured on the right. Another Chamber member that has adopt- ed new products during this time is Hyde Brothers Printing & Marketing. They have been pivoting almost weekly to adapt to our clients needs. "As a one source provid- er of commercial printing, promotional products, decorated apparel and Covid-19 related products, we have put ourselves in place to serve our clients through the pan- demic by providing products such as bulk sanitizer, removable floor and window graphics, temporary teller windows, signs, decals, and more" according to Steve Flaughers. They have also been providing a variety of mask options for their custom- ers ranging from KN95, surgical and dis- posable masks for their medical customers to branded masks for retailers. Mr. Flaughers noted "We would love to be everyone's source for these products but regardless of where you source, plan ahead or you may not see these items until late in the year. I think this is a message that can be applied to many ways we used to do things. We are fortunate to be in a trusted position to provide these badly needed products to the area as we have done since 1910." In addition to retail businesses, restaurants have had to make major adjustments. At daVinci's, they have adapted to a new sales method. With the dining room now closed, they started new types of deliveries including curbside pick-up, local delivery and a new program they call dV2U. For dV2U, they have customers order ahead of time and do local drops to areas like Barlow and St. Marys. They also adjusted what products they carry, focusing more on comfort and fami- ly style meals which have become much more popular as families are spending more time together. Although this has certainly been a trying time for businesses, our Chamber members are banding together and adapting so they can continue to serve their community. These businesses, along with many others, have come up with great new methods adjust to COVID-19 and to the new stand- ards we are all living with.

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