Back To Work: Economy Slowly Reopens To New Normal Of Masks, Sanitizers And Distancing

Shopping in the future

Exactly how everything will unfold is still a little foggy for retailers, who are trying to reopen amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In order to shop, some may require customers to make an appointment such as buying a new car. There could also be times when customers will need to wait, as they have been doing during the opening of home and garden stores.

Still, business owners like the Claggett family are moving forward as best they can and children will be excited to know that starting Tuesday their favorite toy shop will be open.

The Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy Shop in St. Clair Shores, owned by Julie Everitt, Wendy Bacon and their brother, Richard Claggett, has called all of its workers back to the shop. It’s a good thing, since many of them, who were college students, were unable to collect unemployment due to their hours.

“Some of them did get the pandemic stimulus check,” said Everitt.

But others, such as those under the age of 18, were not collecting anything. “It was very tough for them and us as well. We closed March 24. Then we offered curbside pickup.”

Everitt said that really helped the business, although staffing was minimal.

“It was just the three of us handling the shipping,” she said.

As for what was shipped?

Puzzles, puzzles and more puzzles and if they were out of that, people ordered board games and toys aimed at helping parents teach their children skills at home including math, science and algebra.

“We are down to a handful of puzzles,” Everitt said.

However, by the time they run out toy distributors around the country and even the world are likely to be up and running, too.

Everitt has heard that the Lego factory in Mexico, which ships a lot of toys to America and overseas, has reopened. “A lot of distributors are starting to get back into the game but because everyone has to maintain social distancing and other restrictions we expect orders to be filled slowly,” she said.

So, customers will need to be patient. They will also need to wear a mask.

“All of our employees will be wearing a mask and we would like our customers to wear them, too (unless under the age of 2),” Everitt said, adding that they have also installed a sneeze shield (Plexiglas guards at the cash register and sales counter) to protect workers, will be constantly sanitizing the store and for those who are still not comfortable shopping inside will maintain the curbside pickup service.

Toy shops are always fun but this Tuesday’s reopening will be special as it will feature raffles, giveaways and discounts and an opportunity for Everitt and her staff to thank their customer base, who have helped to support them during COVID-19.

“We are so excited,” Everitt said. “We miss the people. We miss the kids running through the store and just the interaction.”

By: Gina Joseph