SILER CITY — For small businesses in a rural county, the struggle is real.
Many businesses in Siler City have had to transform and adapt as they struggle through temporary regulations put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For many of those working in Siler City restaurants and food services, the restrictions in place for in-store dining and social distancing has put a significant strain on their businesses.
All food service businesses in North Carolina have been closed for in-house dining since mid-March. As a result, many restaurants have moved to take-out and delivery services in an attempt to stay afloat. Even so, business is down.
“We’re just paying the bills,” said Jackie Adams, owner of Oasis Fresh Market and Deli. “We’ve had to reduce workers and reduce hours.”
The Oasis Fresh Market and Deli is part local foods grocery store and part restaurant. Adams focuses on locally sourced meats, cheeses, wines and vegetables for both endeavors. Since the new restrictions, Adams has changed the layout of the shop on W. Chatham Avenue in downtown Siler City to promote social distancing. She’s also updated practices to help keep business moving and customers safe.
The staff is sanitizing regularly, including door knobs and commonly touched surfaces. And Adams has adjusted the shop to have one door for entering and a different door for exiting for the one or two customers allowed in at a time. Adams is doing pick-up and curb-side service for both the grocery and prepared food items. She is also working to get growlers — glass containers to sell some of the draft beers she has in stock.
With a steep decline in walk-by traffic, Adams is moving to online ordering. She is also working to go online so that local residents can pre-order items and avoid contact altogether, but that is still a week or so away. Most importantly, Adams wants to work with local residents to get what they need.
“It’s really important what we do here,” Adams said. “We keep everything as local as we can. Give us a call. We want to work with you. If you’re local, let us know because we want to help the locals.”
Adams is not alone.
Hany Shreef of Elizabeth’s Pizza in Siler City said his business is down by half and he’s had to cut his workforce in half as well. His 250-seat restaurant has been reduced to take-out and delivery; dine-in previously accounted for 75 percent of his business. He has an online ordering system and he’s also been offering coupons from items from the full menu. Though his restaurant is a local favorite, Shreef said the transition has been challenging.
“People aren’t used to getting delivery from us,” Shreef said. “When they think of delivery, they think of the chains.”
Elizabeth’s has been in Siler City since 1999 and Shreef hopes that the community continues to support not only the business, but the safety of its customers and workers.
“I understand the situation we are in,” Shreef said. “We are open but at the same time we have to be careful, stay safe and stay healthy. We need to support the businesses and support the people.”
Rojo Canela, an authentic Mexican family restaurant, is down to just two workers — owner Leo Devalos Nuno and his wife. Even though he said he is currently doing only a quarter or less of the business he had prior to COVID-19, he still is grateful. He owns the building that houses the restaurant, but says utility bills still have to be paid to ensure the equipment in the restaurant is up and running.
Rojo Canela is still open for take-out orders that can be taken by phone or by walk-in. Canela tried to apply for the U.S. Paycheck Protection Program under the Federal CARES Act, but didn’t receive funds. In the meantime, the couple continue to try to serve customers for as long as they can.
“We would love for Siler City to come and check us out,” Nuno said.
For some business owners, the COVID-19 crisis has been a time to reassess their business structure.
Brooke Simmons of the Chatham Rabbit said that she looked at the “difference” in the “patterns” of where and why people are going places and has revamped to adapt.
Simmons created an online store to “help people we do business with and the community.” Customers to her online store can now order milk and butter from Homeland Creamery, The Bread Shop in Pittsboro or meat and eggs from Lily Den Farm in Goldston by Sunday and pick it all up at the Chatham Rabbit on Wednesday.
“The big thing is it’s making me reevaluate what’s working and what’s not, but also find ways to support the community,” Simmons said. “Do all you can and continue to support local business and your local farmers.”
Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.