Amy Lynn Chase
March 13, 2020
'It's like a ghost town:' Worcester retailers impacted by coronavirus
Photo | Savannah Donohue
Renee Diaz, owner of The Queen's Cups bakery on Water Street in Worcester
Worcester retail businesses are seeing significantly lower revenues, more order cancellations and diminished foot traffic as the local reaction to the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Central Massachusetts.
Amy Lynn Chase, the entrepreneur behind the Crompton Collective and Haberdash stores in Worcester and Hudson, said revenue on Thursday decreased 90% at her three stores from the previous week.
"Crompton provides income for 92 people, other than our employees," said Chase, referring to the vendors who sell their products and creations at the market. "Which is really scary."
Chase said another 20-25 businesses who would sell their goods at the Canal District Farmers Market on Saturday will be impacted.
[Related: Railers, DCU Center, Hanover Theatre cancel upcoming events]
The Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester's Canal District had more than $800 in orders cancelled in the past three days, and foot traffic was down 25% on Thursday, said Owner Renee Diaz.
"I'm very stressed. I have 25 employees. I won't be able to pay them all if things slow down much more or the state gets shut down," Diaz said. I'm "trying to keep it together for my crew and my friends who are also stressed."
At retailer Worcester Wares, Owner Jessica Walsh said sales Thursday were down 50% at its Kelley Square location and 40% at its DCU Center location.
Jessica Walsh
"It's like a ghost town," Walsh said. "We are going to try to beef up our online store with new and current items and send out an email promotion to encourage online sales, too."
Walsh, Diaz and Chase all said the decreases were due to the reaction to the coronavirus, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging people to limit their social interactions and companies are cancelling events and telling employees to work from home.
[Related: Leonard Morse closure delayed, UMass Memorial sets up screening tent]
The new Main Street grocery store in Worcester, Maker to Main, cancelled it ribbon-cutting celebration slated for this upcoming Tuesday, as Owner Lynn Cheney was concerned about holding the event amid the coronavirus spread. The store remains open.
Photo | Matt Wright
The Maker To Main grocery store has been open since Feb. 7.
Canal District restaurant BirchTree Bread Co hasn't seen much real impact yet, but this coming weekend will be the most telling part, said Co-owner Avra Hoffman. The restaurant has posted on social media to encourage customers to place and pay for orders over the phone for quick pickup.
Photo | File
BirchTree Bread Co. Co-owner Avra Hoffman
"We've increased our already standard sanitation practices to sanitizing all high-touch services," Hoffman said. "We're trying to remain calm and educated about this situation and will do what's best for the safety of our staff and guests."
Redemption Rock Brewing Co. on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester hasn't seen a significant sales impact, but Owner Dani Babineau is worried about the next two weeks, particularly foot traffic into its taproom.
Photo/Allan Jung
Redemption Rock CEO Dani Babineau (right), with head of marketing Dan Carlson
"Over 90% of our revenue is from the taproom, and we are still at a point where we rely on that business every week to pay our bills," Babineau said. I'm "also worried about being able to get supplies, like toilet paper and cleaning supplies, long term."
[Related: Central Mass. healthcare providers limiting visits in coronavirus precaution]
Grove Street beauty salon Nkd Lashes, Waxing & Makeup in Worcester also hasn't seen much impact, as customers are slowly cancelling appointments but others are making last-minute ones, said Owner Kristie Lee Laskes, who added the next few days will be telling.
"I don't plan on closing," Laskes said. "People feel good about themselves after leaving Nkd. I hope I can be a little light in people's day in this uncertain time."
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