(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

Kamloops small businesses still operating, with uncertain financial future

Mar 25, 2020 | 4:49 PM

KAMLOOPS — The local business sector is feeling the impacts of COVID-19 both in revenue, and operations.

Provincial health officials have mandated that certain businesses need to close for now, to keep people at a safe distance.

Businesses in Kamloops that are still able to operate aren’t sure how long it’ll last, and most don’t know how long they would be able to weather the income loss after closing their doors. In the meantime, those working in various retail and service operations have managed to find ways to follow social distancing and cleanliness guidelines.

Some non-essential businesses are still operating, most on a limited basis. For instance, Tumbleweed Toys is only doing curbside pick up, or delivery, instead of having customers physically enter the store.

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The method is designed to be as non-contact as possible, and Owner Vanessa Gammel says they’ve been on top of cleaning products before putting them out for customers.

“We’re wearing gloves, we’re making sure everything is safe, we’re Lysol wiping everything all the time,” she says. “As soon we felt that it wasn’t really safe to be open to the public anymore, we wanted to come up with an alternative option so that we didn’t have to stop doing business, and we could still serve the community.”

With the pick up and delivery options, the store has kept close to its normal foot traffic patronage, and Gammel says many customers are looking for something to do for their families, or loved ones.

“(We’ve) been really busy. We’ve had lots of online orders, and people phoning to order. Mostly puzzles and games, and some things to keep kids busy.”

Bars and liquor-primary establishments have closed for now, while restaurants had to eliminate dine-in options. With that, Papa G’s Cafe owner Gerald Thiessen says he completely switched up the way the restaurant runs.

“I closed the doors a week before we were mandated to close them. Only because I wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem. I’ve laid off my staff, (and) I’ve got some really good staff.”

Customer and revenue flow have decreased, but some food services like Thiessen’s are staying afloat with take-out or delivery.

“Like right now, I’m doing the catering for the Emergency Operations Centre, and I’ve been doing that since last Monday.”

While these alternatives have given businesses a way to keep working, there is a certain level of financial uncertainty. Many don’t know how long they’ll be able to keep operating, and have already looked into federal and provincial aid.

“I’ve applied for it but I haven’t heard back from anyone,” says Thiessen. “So whether I get it or not, I don’t know.

“I wake up positive every day, and we’re trying to make the best of it.”

Business owners can apply for loans through the Business Development Bank, and Export Development Canada, but Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod notes that she’s heard some small business owners say the interest payment layout would not be realistic.

“What I’ve heard is perhaps these loans need to have better terms to them. But certainly it’s one lifeline. We know that there was support for a wage subsidy, but it was only ten per cent. And so people said if I have no business, ten per cent is not going to make the difference between laying someone off, and not laying someone off.”

Federal help has come with the approved $107 billion package, and the hope is those programs will work in conjunction with B.C’s $5 billion initiative.