ON THE JOB
How Has Your Business Changed Since the Pandemic?
Interviews by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
n many ways, the world will never be the same since the COVID-19 outbreak. In the business world, the pandemic’s effects are still felt in many sectors. We recently asked area business leaders, “How has your business changed since the pandemic?” Here’s what they said:
“It hasn’t been as crazy as it
was during COVID with everyone staying home and remodeling. We haven’t seen a big drop-off in sales. Right after COVID, the supply chain was really tough. Now things are starting to level off. We’re really close to being back to normal. Building material pricing has come back to pre-pandemic levels. Since the pandemic, we’ve been looking at our inventory a little bit more closely and get things in three to four weeks sooner than we used to.” CHARLES HANDLEY, Owner, Burke’s Do It Best Home Center, Oswego
“The pandemic put a big emphasis on becoming totally digital on work. Things that were put off on going fully remote for work in the accounting world became a high priority and got done because of necessity. Although at first it was difficult learning new technology, it has actually helped since streamline workflow and communication with
clients since. Doing more accounting work remotely has allowed for less wasted time in schedule and travel. The only drawback is not meeting face to face with clients.” Brenda Weissenberg Accountant and owner, Affordable Business Solutions, Central Square “It actually hasn’t changed at all. We maintained the same service and customer interactions all through COVID and since COVID. We didn’t change how we do business.” Dave Canale Owner, Canale Insurance and Computer Accounting Services, Oswego “COVID caused a drastic change. Now it’s like trying to build back up because we were closed over two years. I’ve never been open in the summer, only September through the end of April. My grandson, Jeffrey Geracci, is taking the property over and I need to slow down. Jeffrey has been there a couple of years with me. I’ll be there but not in charge.” Linda Tarbox Owner, 1880 House, Pulaski “Since the pandemic, not a whole lot has changed for us. We were an essential business with our cloth diaper and laundry service and operated fully during the entire time and kept our employees working providing our weekly laundry service and cloth diaper service
14 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2023
to Rochester and Syracuse areas in addition to our local area. The largest impact as a result of the pandemic has been the cost of doing business requiring me to work many more hours to get the job done in an effort to keep our costs as low as possible. Our online sales have seen a boost too for toys and cloth diapers.” Lisa Emmons Owner, Mother Earth Baby LLC, Curious Kidz Toys and More, Breezy Kleen Laundry Service, Oswego “Things did pick up after COVID. Guests seem to be coming back. People are getting out and traveling. And there’s college parents visiting, and the Renaissance Fair and harvest fest. People are looking for places to stay while they go to these things.” Joy Moody Innkeeper and owner, Merriam Vincent Guest House, Oswego “The Friends of History at the John Wells Pratt House Museum in Fulton was closed the entire year of 2020. We re-opened in 2021, but still did not go forward with our annual Parade of Trees as many schools lacked the necessary transportation and children were still wearing masks. Other than that, we are back to our normal hours, etc. Other than our maintenance guy who works as needed, I am the only paid employee at the Pratt House. All others are volunteers. We have noticed a decrease in the amount that some of the sponsors
