Retail

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday gave florists, as well as many other "non-essential" businesses, a green thumbs up to bring back a limited number of employees to fulfill online and phone orders for delivery, as long as they follow proper safety measures and keep the doors locked to customers.

During an interview for the WBJ Podcast, entreprenuer Amy Lynn Chase detailed how she is thinking about slowly reopening her businesses in Worcester and Hudson once the coronavirus shutdown of non-essential business in Massachusetts is lifted.

As Massachusetts state and business officials gather to establish the plan to re-open the economy perhaps by May 18, Worcester entrepreneur Amy Lynn Chase joins The Weekly Business Report podcast to detail her businesses' struggles since the coronavirus pandemic became a reality in Central Massachusetts.

Worcester city officials ordered the Walmart Supercenter store at 25 Tobias Boland Way to be temporarily closed after 23 employees tested positive for coronavirus.

With the special occasion around the corner, florists are among the non-essential businesses that are being told to remain closed through at least May 18. But some retail industry leaders are starting to ask whether Gov. Charlie Baker's closure order needs to be as strict as it is.

Framingham retailer TJX Cos. has been a standout in the industry, especially in the brick-and-mortar world, and until the coronavirus pandemic, the company was continuing to expand and see revenue rise.

The COVID-19 public health emergency has delayed a lot of things already, and now the industry group that represents convenience stores is asking the Legislature and governor to delay the implementation of restrictions on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol cigarettes.

As the second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding is starting to be dispersed, bankHometown has 250 loans totaling about $15 million from customers who missed out on the first round.

Melissa Cote had planned to expand her beauty salon, but as the construction was wrapping up on her new Shrewsbury location, Gov. Charlie Baker put out his order on March 24 for non-essential businesses in Massachusetts to shut down in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Companies like Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Worcester Fitness, Worcester Art Museum and Tegra Medical had recent hires and promotions.