Ayer’s Creek Adventures given green light to reopen

BERLIN, Md. – Some local leaders are helping family-owned businesses to open up again.  One of those businesses is Ayer’s Creek Adventures in Berlin. “We received a call from Senator Carozza maybe yesterday, I think it was, saying that it would be okay for us to reopen because of the limited contact that we have with people,” said co-owner Steve Taylor.

State Senator Mary Beth Carozza has been working with Delegate Wayne Hartman to help some small businesses open their doors again. The senator says that Ayer’s Creek Adventures was a great candidate to reopen because of their preparedness and outdoor activities. “They put these protocols in place early on to the point where some of the protocols that our locals have proposed are now going to be used in the statewide protocols that hopefully will be announced next week,” said Senator Carozza.

Ayers Creek Adventures specializes in kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. “This is a great opportunity for families to get out and do something that’s safe for them and fun for the family,” said Taylor.

Taylor tells 47 ABC that he and his wife will be taking many steps to keep customers safe, including online check in and payment, spacing out reservations, and extensive equipment cleaning. “We have a sanitizer that’s used in restaurants for sanitizing dishes and tables and things. So we’ll spray all that, wipe that down and be ready for the next group that comes,” said Taylor.

Meanwhile, Senator Carozza says she and Delegate Hartman are working on helping other outdoor businesses like Ayer’s Creek Adventures, including bike rental shops. The senator says that it’s important to make sure people have safe and healthy activities to do – as well as making sure small businesses are supporting themselves. “Ayer’s Creek Adventures is a family business with kayaks and getting out on the water. You can imagine they have quite a local following with a lot of locals and families that want to be out on the water,” said  Senator Carozza.

Senator Carozza tells 47ABC that she expects Governor Larry Hogan to lift the stay at home order some time next week.  In the meantime, the senator encourages people to still practice caution – and follow safety guidelines. Back in Berlin, Taylor says he and his wife are expecting their first customers Sunday.