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Local business owners share challenges of doing business during a pandemic

BY: Lindsay Cuomo

Back in mid-March as businesses closed their doors across the state, small business owners were faced with a number of unprecedented challenges. Many were able to reshape their services and methodologies, offering things like virtual, digital or contactless transactions. But for those in the entertainment industry where in-person interaction is essential, commerce came to a halt.

“We had league bowling the night the governor mandated businesses had to close,” Mandy Haws said, owner of Sooner Bowling Center. “When the league finished, we cleaned up the center and shut our doors.”

Sooner Bowling Center remained closed for almost nine weeks. Other venues like the Westwood Aquatics Center were closed longer.

“In parks and recreation, we are on the frontline in the community in so many ways,” Jason Olsen, recreation superintendent for Norman Parks and Recreation, shared. “We wanted to lead by example and we closed everything… just about everything in the park system was impacted.”

Despite having no customers coming in, Haws said the work never stopped.

“We are not a business that can just close our doors and walk away,” she explained. “We still had our maintenance staff working and we took the opportunity to do some large-scale projects. There was a lot of painting, purging and rearranging to be ready to reopen.”

Trey Bates, owner of HeyDay Entertainment, said he and his staff began looking for ways to incorporate new procedures and CDC guidelines.

“We spent a lot of time looking at what reopening might look like,” he shared. “We talked with associations and others in the business. Mandy and I talked about what we were going to do and what business would look like. Even though we are competitors, success for Mandy is success for us as the public gets more comfortable coming out.”

Haws said she found the support of fellow business owners to be very helpful.

“It was so helpful to talk with people who shared your pain and understood,” she said. “In the big picture, I want to protect my staff and my customers. We had plenty of time to think this through and educate ourselves on these issues. We tried to use the time to our advantage and come out of it better.”

Olsen also found support from professional networks to be essential.

“This virus is not going to go away. We had to learn how to change the ways we have operated for so long,” Olsen shared. “It’s amazing how this pandemic has opened up new lines of communication and new ways to help each other.”

Both Haws and Bates said they have implemented extensive cleaning procedures and have worked to reduce frequent touch points between staff and customers.

“Everything from when a customer enters the building to how they actually interact with our attractions has changed,”

Bates said. “We do a temperature and health check on each customer.”

Haws said she has purchased a special machine to disinfect the bowling balls after each use and has increased cleaning procedures throughout the center.

“We want people to feel comfortable,” she said. “We are being very cautious of our group numbers and are social distancing groups. We have a strict cleaning schedule and have upgraded our procedures as recommended by the health department.”

Bates is installing specially designed curtains to separate each bowling lane.

“We had a company construct dividers, hybrid curtains with a protective plastic barrier inside,” he shared. “It’s an attractive solution that provides additional protection for our customers. I think it will be intimate and create a more private experience and make people feel more comfortable.”

Olsen said his department has made significant changes as well.

“All of our centers are open and our senior center is taking the most precautions to protect that most vulnerable population. Everyone has to wear a mask, they are doing temperature checks and we have more hand sanitizing stations.”

“Day camps are open at our rec centers and we have a sort of curbside service for parents. Staff wears masks when in close contact with the kids and rooms are sanitized after each use.”

“At the golf course, we installed touchless pins on the greens and took away touch points like ball washers. We use hospital grade sanitizer to completely disinfect the golf carts after each use.”

Olsen said that the community can help too.

“We are still asking people to practice social distancing. With the possibility of a second spike, we need to take precautions because it’s important to protect yourself and your neighbor. That is an important aspect of any community.”

Haws encourages the community to give their favorite venues the chance to show how they are able to offer a safe environment to have fun.

“I hope the community trusts us to do what we do best. We now just need people to come check us out to see everything we are doing to keep you safe. Wash your hands, put a mask on and come out and have fun.” – BSM