The past few weeks have been a roller coaster for the small business community, due to the on-going spread of COVID 19, otherwise known as the Corona virus. Mom and Pop shops across the country are cutting hours, adapting to government guidelines, or just closing their doors until the nation is given the O.K to resume business as usual.
So how does a community continue to support their small businesses during an epidemic? Here's some tips:
1. Buy Gift Cards- Purchase gift cards from your favorite stores know and use them at a later date! That way, the businesses have the money now to keep going and you can have a fun day out once the quarantine has been lifted.
2. Spread the Love- Just because your favorite shop may be closed doesn't mean you should stop raving about them! Leave reviews and share their stories on your social media.
3. Pre-pay- Reach out to your local businesses and ask if you can pre-pay! If you are planing to purchase something from a retail shop, pay the business ahead of time via Venmo, Paypal, or mailing in a check. If you go to the same restaurant every Friday or play for a bar league and know you spend $20 every time you go, you can also see if you can send that $20 directly to the restaurant or bar and pre-pay your tab.
Below is a list of West Allis Downtown Businesses and how they're adapting for the COVID 19 Pandemic. This will be updated as we learn more.
All Goods MKE (Retail): Open normal business hours
All State McCabe Agency (Service)- Open normal business hours
Alberti's Trophies and Awards (Service)- Open normal business hours Avant-Garde Piercing (Service): Open normal business hours, no walk ins
B&K Bar Supplies (Service): Normal business hours, delivery available
Benno's Genuine Bar & Grill (Restaurant/Bar): Open normal business hours
Blenkinsop Sewing Machine Repair (Service): Open for curbside service
Blue Smoke Shop & World Gifts (Retail): Closed temporarily
BMO Harris Bank (Service): Normal business hours, Drive Thru banking only
Boz's Sports Bar (Bar): Open normal business hours
Camino West Allis (Restaurant/ Bar): Closed Temporarily
Cook's Cake and Candy Supply (Retail): Open normal business hours
Cream City Clay (Retail): Open normal business hours
Diane's Designs Jewelry Store(Retail/ Service): Reduced business hours, Curbside Pick Up
Double B's BBQ (Restaurant/ Bar): Open normal business hours
Dr. Feelgood Health & Wellness (Retail/Service): Open normal business hours
E-5 Sports (Retail): Open normal business hours
Eden Garden & Pets (Retail): Open normal business hours Freese's Candy Shop (Retail): Normal business hours, curbside pick up available
George Webb (Restaurant): Open normal business hours
Hawkins Clock Center (Service/ Retail): Open normal business hours
MKE Vape (Retail): Open normal business hours
Milwaukee Sewing Machine (Service/ Retail): Open normal business hours Mis Suenos (Restaurant/ Bar): Open normal business hours
Model Empire (Retail): Open normal business hours
Old National Bank (Service): Open normal business hours, Drive Thru banking only
Panda Hut Chinese (Restaurant): Open normal business hours, Take out or delivery
Papa Johns Pizza (Restaurant): Normal business hours, Take out or delivery
Pepi's Pizza (Restaurant): Open normal business hours Quick Cuts Hair Care (Service): Open normal business hours, limited capacity Record Head (Retail): Open normal business hours
Salon Dovini (Service): Open normal business hours, limited capacity
Steakhouse 100 (Restaurant/Bar): Open normal business hours
Supplement Warehouse (Retail): Normal business hours, online shopping available
Swaye Tea (Restaurant/ Retail): Open normal business hours
Teresa's Interior Designs (Service/ Retail): Appointment only
Urban Joe Cafe (Restaurant/Bar): Open normal business hours
West Allis Dental Care (Service): Open normal business hours
Yoga is Served (Service): Closed Temporarily, hosting classes via Facebook Live and Zoom