Waterloo region small businesses brace for another lockdown

Businesses and restaurants in Waterloo region are bracing for a second lockdownstartingthisSaturday.

"I'm not as frightened as I was the first time around," said Sylvia Horn, who owns Gifted in Waterloo.

"We know what to expect now, andwe've been through it before and we've been through it for a much longer period of time."

On Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced all of Ontario will movelockdownstartingBoxing Day in an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

For municipalities in southern Ontario, including Waterloo region, the lockdownwill remain in place until at least Jan. 23, 2021.

'More pain and difficulty'

That means takeout or delivery only for local restaurants and curbside pickup forretail stores that are not deemed essential.

Ian McLean, president and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce said small business owners should familiarize themselves with whatfederal and provincial supports are available.

"I've heard from businesses that they are worried, and they are struggling. This isn't easy for everyone," he said.

McLeansaid he sympathizes with local businessesbut agrees a lockdown isnecessary to kept he community safe.

"It's going to take more pain and difficulty right now, and I'm very sympathetic to that, but I think this is what we have to do," he said.

'Fridges and freezers full'

"We'll continue with our curbside pickup as long as we can and as long as it's safe to do so," Horn said.

Horn said January is typically a slower month for retail, and she can make adjustments if need be. She hopesto be able to keep her current staff onboard.

"We're working on our website, and if we do curbside pickup, someone will need to be here for that. There won'tbe as many hours, but in January there aren't as many hours anyway because business slows down so much," she said.

Graham Braun, one of the founders of Monigram Coffee Roasters in Cambridge, saidhe'salso feeling more confident going into lockdown.

He said his business pivoted toonline and curbside pickupduring the early months of the pandemic, which helped keep business afloat.

"We did have to layoff some staff, and even now, we're not back to full strength, but we do know that we've been busy enough that we can withstand another lockdown if that's what it takes."

Braun said he hoped there would have been more notice.

"We kind of expected this was coming, but we do have fridges and freezers full of things and that's a hard adjustment to make when we're not going to have anyone comingin for foodor drink." he said.

'This is what we have to do'

The Voila Institute of Hair Design in downtown Kitcheneris working on next steps, institute coordinator MelissaFalconer said

During lockdown, Falconer said the salon floor will close and students may have to move to online learning again.

"When you go into a career like hair styling, you're a hands-on learner and moving into something more virtual is challenging for everyone involved," she said.

"It's completely necessary due to the circumstances we're in, but it's easier this time because we are prepared."