Tackett’s Mill businesses learn how to adapt

Standing the Test of Time

One Tackett’s Mill business, the Bee Store, improved its online presence and off ered contactless pickup and home delivery. PROVIDED

Tackett’s Mill businesses a challenge for many -- especially their had to overcome obstacles senior clients. With classes broadcast T ackett’s Mill shopping center in the Lake Ridge area of Prince William County has managed to on Zoom, clients could feel connected despite the distance. Now that things are slowly returning to normal, AIM Human Performance stand the test of time, like the more than wants to keep the momentum going, 400-year-old-mill aft er which it’s named. off ering live-streamed classes on social

Over the years, the shopping center media and developing a platform dedievolved from its humble beginnings to cated to on-demand fi tness. a thriving community, built by the supOne thing they’ve learned through all port of its residents, with more than 50 of this: “Th e importance of being fl exible merchants rangand adapting to ing from specialty what’s going. [As retailers to service well as] the creativproviders. Earlier ity that comes from this year, the chalbeing experts for lenge of how to our clients,” the reach customers Viggianos said. during the health Edgemoor Art crisis created a Studio, a central new obstacle for part of the commerchants. munity that off ers

Th e Bee Store fi ne arts classes to not only thought students ranging outside the box, its owners recreated it. AIM Human Performance owners Chris and Michelle Viggiano developed online classes for from children to young adults, did

“To make your their clients during stay-at-home orders. not allow the crisis products and PROVIDED to shut down its services available to more people online students' creativity. is critical in times like this…making our During the fi rst weeks of the staywebsite more user-friendly was vital,” at-home orders, the dedicated team of said John Klapperich, Owner of Th e Bee teachers delivered 120 art kits to stuStore. dents’ homes and kept parents engaged

Using social media for marketing through email. Using Facebook, the stuand improving its web presence, Th e dio formed a social group for students to Bee Store moved its in-person classes to keep them connected and sharing ideas, virtual, providing an on-demand interaceven artwork. tive experience for customers looking to A virtual art exhibition using video learn a new skill or hobby while at home. submitted by parents gave students an With the increase in demand for their opportunity to show off their art sculpservices, they invested in local vendors tures, a project started before the shutand off ered contactless pickup and home down. Aft er safely reopening early this delivery. summer, the art studio continues to keep

For AIM Human Performance, virtual safety a top priority with cleaning and classes were the solution to keeping the sanitizing practices, distance-learning business and clients healthy. Off ering stations, and more virtual classes during one-on-one training at home, owners the week. Chris and Michelle Viggiano built an “With community, a bit of innovation, engaged community through their online and foresight you can get it done,” said training studio. Th ey focused on improvRuth Johnsen, owner and founder of the ing fl exibility when being mobile was studio.

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