Jasper businesses cautious about re-opening
Business, Community April 28, 2020
Jasper, GA-Local Jasper businesses expressed concern about reopening after Governor Brian Kemp lifted some restrictions on Georgia businesses earlier this week. Read what he said here.
61 Main in Jasper will continue with take-out orders for another week before making a decision to open for sit down dining.
For Rob Jarrett, manager of 61 Main, they are waiting to see the guidelines Kemp has in place.
“We’re going to continue what we are doing for at least one more week,” he said of the restaurant, which is offering to-go and online ordering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Jarrett said they didn’t want to get ready to re-open only to have to revert back to the current situation.
“We don’t want to get ready to re-open and have to close again, so at least one more week of take out,” he said.
He said initially, the popular restaurant closed for two weeks, then reopened for take out orders.
“We have completely changed our business model,” he said.
They went from working six days a week to working three and their hours changed to 1-5 p.m. to accommodate lunch and dinner orders from the regular 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours.
Despite having to change everything, Jarrett said they have discovered somethings they may keep. The restaurant has been selling cold quarts of soups for people to heat up.
“If the demand is high, we may continue to offer that,” he said.
They are also working with a vendor on online ordering.
“Our phone line just rings off the hook, we don’t know how many people we are missing, so we’re going to try it,” he said.
Business levels are down from what they typically are, but Jarrett said it’s not enough of a downturn to cause concern.
“It’s worth us being here three days a week. We have an amazing, very loyal fan base,” he said.
It’s that fan base who have put the word out and brought in new diners.
“Our loyal repeat customer business has been very generous, we can’t thank them enough,” said Jarrett.
He encourages everyone to check their Facebook page for updates.
For Designs on Main owner, Carrie Roland, the quarantine meant almost a complete shutdown.
Designs on Main is offering shopping by appointment.
“We went online and sales were good, but it’s not the same as being in the store,” she said.
Hopefully, she can open her doors on May 1, offering plenty of hand sanitizer and shopping by appointment.
Right now, she is working to get the store cleaned and inventory taken care of in the small, family owned business that specializes in home decor and gifts.
Roland said sales are down close to $25,000 from this time last year, but prior to all non-essential businesses closing, her numbers were growing.
“So, it’s probably closer to $35,000,” she said.
She said her business didn’t qualify for the loans and grants offered to small businesses because those programs are based on the number of employees.
“We have one employee and some contractors,” she said. “I’ve laid everyone off, so I’m the only one working.”
She said she’ll bring more employees once the doors open, but for now, she’ll continue as is. For updates, sales, and shopping by appointment, check here.
Small business voice unity during “new normal”
Featured Stories March 17, 2020
JASPER, GA–Small businesses voice unity during the “new normal” spawned by the Coronavirus storm. While it’s still too early to truly gauge the economic impact the “social distancing” and self-quarantining will have, business owners are doing what they can, said Amberle Godfrey , Pickens County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Sharp Top Social Media Management and other Jasper businesses are hoping to get the word out to support local businesses.
Sharp Top Social Media is partnering with The Old Mulehouse to #supportjasper by encouraging patrons who go out to eat to first, tip their server more than usual, then to purchase a gift card to that establishment. The next time they dine out, they leave that server a tip and the previously purchased gift card while also purchasing a gift card from that establishment.
“I’m passionate about small business,” said Taree Darby, owner of Sharp Top Social Media. “So when Old Mule House reached out to me to see what we could do, I was all for it.”
The Old Mule House is working with Sharp Top Social Media Management to #supportjasper.
They are seeing success. Many small businesses are reposting and encouraging everyone to get involved.
“We’re really coming together in an amazing way,” said Darby.
She said the idea was based on a post by Jeff Dollars, who encouraged his
Two local businesses in Pickens County are hoping to encourage the public to help local restaurants during the COVID-19 shutdown.
followers to tip extra and buy a gift card to pass to the next server the patron has.
Still, the Coronavirus is only part of the concern. With the rainy weather that has dominated North Georgia, small businesses were already concerned.
“This (Coronavirus) compounded it and with this on top of it, it will cripple some businesses,” said Godfrey.
“They are all staying open and we’re all asking people to still continue to support the small businesses,” she added.
61 Main in Jasper and other local establishments are seeing a drop in business since the “social-distancing” and quarantines have taken place.
Rob Jarrett, general manager for the restaurant 61 Main, said so far the popular eatery has been “fine.”
“It was pretty normal until Saturday, then we were about 50-percent of where we normally are,” he said on Monday, adding Monday was also operating at about 50-percent.
“We’re taking it day-by-day,” he said.
The restaurant is offering the entire menu to go and while they haven’t laid anyone off or changed their hours, anything can happen.
But for now, they are going to continue offering farm-to-table meals.
“We’re trying to make the best of it,” he said.
61 Main post on Facebook about how they are handling the Coronavirus pandemic.
“I hope it doesn’t last,” said Carrie Roland, owner of Designs on Main, a boutique in downtown Jasper offering items for home, gifts and children.
“Last week wasn’t much different,” said Roland. “The rain and weather affects our business, too, but Saturday wasn’t much different.”
Things seemed to change on Monday, though.
“The traffic has died tremendously today,” she said.
To help make customers feel comfortable, she said she is offering online shopping with curbside pick-up.
Designs on Main is offering curb side pick-up for those needing gifts and decor.
She also pointed out that small shops typically means less human traffic. “It’s not crowded if you shop small.”
She said the decision to stay open or close was difficult. Both had consequences. For now, she’s not making any changes to her hours.
“I’m just seeing how things are before doing something drastic.” She said she is using the time to get caught up on inventory.
“Everyone, not just businesses, are concerned this is just the beginning. This is unchartered waters for everyone,” said Godfrey.
For an updated list of Pickens County closings, check us out here.