How COVID-19 Impacted Small Businesses

Small businesses suffered financial and social damages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Manager of Brown’s Orchards and Farmers Market, Joe Doll, explains her business’s toughest task when dealing with COVID-19 restrictions.

“Making sure our customers can get our products safely and in an effective manner,” said Doll.

According to Doll, Brown’s has implemented ways to offer safety and convenience to the customers.

“We have added curb-side pickup, and we have enforced our policies on masks with proper signage and proper documentation to make customers feel as comfortable as possible,” said Doll.

Sophomore at West Chester University Hannah Groft, owner of Bit of Hannah, comments on the impact COVID-19 has had on online businesses.

“I’ve faced some struggles with getting my work out there and lack of events to go and spread the word about my business,” said Groft.

Groft has fought to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

“I have increased my activity online to try and help get more people to view my business and hopefully increase sales,” said Groft.

Kala Casagrande, a photographer for a company focusing on food and videography, commented on her struggles brought on by the virus.

“Our business was deemed non-essential,” Casagrande said. “Eventually, we were able to go back to work. Unfortunately, after returning to work our client base was at an all time low due to the restrictions our clients were facing.”

Casagrande has plans regarding how to continue operating their business.

“We will continue to build up our clients and work extra hard to find the products we need -even if that means traveling to another state to find these products,” said Casagrande.

Small businesses continue to seek local support.