Shuttered stores. Stalled revitalization. Business as we’ve never known it.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to local businesses that are still reeling towards recovery after the pandemic-related economic shutdown.
“Pivot” became an apt buzzword that captured the sense of ingenuity many business owners demonstrated throughout 2020.
Small retail shops quickly adapted to offer online shopping and curbside pickup. When restaurants were forced to close their dining rooms in March, takeout and delivery became a lifeline for keeping their doors open and a way for the community to support downtown business before the state’s phased reopening plan allowed in-person dining to resume.