Airdrie business owners are contending with another set of hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Alberta government’s new temporary business restrictions went into effect Nov. 27.
At a press conference Nov. 24, Premier Jason Kenney announced a slate of new public health measures to help reduce the current spike of COVID-19 in the province. The directive impacts retailers throughout Alberta in areas that are under “enhanced” status, including Airdrie.
Restrictions include the closure of banquet halls, conference centres and concert venues, as well as a 25 per cent capacity for storefronts. Many service businesses, such as salons, accounting firms and hotels, can only offer services on an appointment-only basis.
Marilyne Aalhus, executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, said local business owners reacted to the new restrictions with mixed emotions.
“They were fully aware this was coming and understand the magnitude of what needed to be done,” she said. “It doesn’t mean it’s not hard on businesses, but for the most part, everyone I’ve heard has been understanding.”
Aalhus added it was telling that Kenney claimed the provincial government “made a mistake” by shutting down all but essential services last spring, during the first wave of the pandemic. The premier argued the bulk of COVID-19 outbreaks have originated from social gatherings, rather than business transactions.
“In this case, they’ve noticed the numbers are not coming from business settings, and that businesses have taken extreme precautions in keeping their locations safe,” Aalhus said. “Again, we just advocate that businesses keep working hard at keeping their environment clean and safe for the community to be able to come.
“Unfortunately, there are still restrictions and many months ahead of uncertainty. For now, people are doing everything they can. I just wish everyone a safe December and hope we can curve these numbers a bit.”
Shawn MacPherson, co-owner of Muk-Luk Magpies Stained Glass Emporium, said the restrictions will mainly hinder her southwest Airdrie business through the cancellation of in-store classes – an important revenue source for the company. She said Muk-Luk's offers private and group classes in skills like staining and fusing glass.
“We’re kind of a mental health necessity business because a lot of people do what we do as a hobby and to take their mind off their troubles,” she said. “It’s something that’s very much a learned skill, and people can buy the equipment to do it at home. We’re finding the desire to do it at home right now is unbelievably expedited from a year ago.”
She added the emporium will remain open to sell stained glass giftware, art and antiquities, but new capacity restrictions will limit Muk-Luk’s to just five customers and three employees in the store at a time.
For other local storefronts, negative impacts resulting from the new restrictions have not yet been felt. David Denobrega, the owner of SNAP! Collectables, said he did not notice a drop in business in the first few days after the health order went into effect. However, he is anticipating a slower Christmas shopping season compared to last year.
“It’s a small store. When I do get to capacity, the customers seem to be understanding and they get it, if I have to tell them to go out and wait for a minute,” he said. “It seems most of my customers come in, leave, and then another group comes in right after.”
During the 2019 holiday shopping season, Denobrega said he would often see as many as 10 to 15 customers browsing the store at a time. The new capacity limit will only allow a fraction of that during one of the busiest shopping times of the year.
“It’ll probably have a negative impact overall,” he said. “My position is, I’ll abide by the law and do what I’m told, but I think there are a lot of people who don’t like to follow these rules.
“I don’t know, it’s a weird time, man – people don’t like to be told what to do.”
According to the Alberta government, fines of $1,000 can be handed out to businesses for violating the new directive.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
