Coronavirus pandemic takes toll on small businesses

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – “All we’re going to do is just continue to clean and sanitize like we have since day one. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” said Richard LaPerch, owner of Cabin Fever Play Center.

In Downtown Cambridge small business owners are banding together to keep their business alive amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re just checking with people to make sure that they’re ok and we’re just trying to do business as usual as much as possible,” said Beth Kline, owner of The Blue Awning.

As more people practice social distancing in an effort to contain the virus small business owners say they are already feeling the impact.

“Just this past weekend we’ve seen a drop in about 70 percent of our walk-in admissions compared to this time last year even two weeks ago,” said LaPerch.

“With the salon, I’m already seeing a decrease and with the car wash and things like that and with the cleaning business, it’s going to be like a day by day type of thing,” said Danielle Vanriel, owner of the Mirror Mirror Salon.

In order to keep business afloat many business owners in Cambridge say they are coming up with different solutions together that will help keep customers.

“Window dressing, you know like do something in windows for decorating for displays and do something and have people come downtown and vote for that so, if they have issues they don’t even have to come into the shop,” said Kline.

Many of them also looking to potentially expand their services and ultimately take all steps necessary to serve their community as best they can.

“As time goes on, we might try to do some sort of camp to help relieve some of the stress off the parents when it comes to child care and getting back to work,” said LaPerch.

The nonprofit Downtown Cambridge Main Street is encouraging anyone who is healthy and safe to continue visiting their restaurants and small stores.