Good sign New eateries open despite pandemic Page 19
July 3-16, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 13
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RECRUITING NOW: How coronavirus crisis is affecting economic development STILL WORKING: Businesses continue to adapt ORDER UP: A look at restaurant expansions
Index Health Care ........................................4-5 Banking & Finance ................................ 6 Economic Development ......................8-9 In Profile...............................................11 Real Estate..................................... 12-14 The List ................................................17 Business of Life.............................. 18-19
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PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Lining up for food: Some businesses, including grocery stores like Trader Joe’s in Wilmington, have seen an increase in sales as a result of the coronavirus even as others struggle.
BOOM AND BUST CORONAVIRUS BUOYS SOME BUSINESSES, HURTS OTHERS BY CECE NUNN t’s not an unusual sight these days: A crowd of mostly masked shoppers lining up outside for a chance to shop at Trader Joe’s in Wilmington. Grocery stores across the country, including the Trader Joe’s chain, are experiencing a boost during the age of coronavirus from consumers who haven’t been dining out as much – or at all – as a result of the global pandemic. They’re cooking at home, and in some cases, they’re clearing the grocery store shelves of ingredients
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such as rice and flour. Customer lines are also not unique anymore at Two Wheeler Dealer, a bicycle shop that’s been serving customers in Wilmington for 45 years. During the coronavirus crisis, bikes are in high demand across the U.S. “Any bicycle store that’s really open is selling everything they have or can get their hands on,” said Two Wheeler Dealer owner Jim Mincher. “There’s a severe shortage of bicycles in this country.” Grocery stores and bike sellers are examples of how parts of the local and national economy seem to be thriving amidst ongoing restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, while other segments are quickly becoming economic victims of the crisis. But the terms “winners” and “losers” don’t necessarily apply, as some of the spending might be short-lived and added demand can
come with its own complications, such as shortages.
BIKE CRAZE
When it became clear the novel coronavirus was headed to the U.S., Mincher anticipated a slowdown in sales at his bicycle store at 4408 Wrightsville Ave. in Wilmington. “I’m thinking, ‘Man, we might not have any business. We better just quit buying bicycles and parts. We don’t want any bills in April, May and June,’” he said. But by April, there were so many customers in the store, Mincher’s employees became uncomfortable with the possibility of COVID-19 exposure. “The employees said, ‘We need to go curbside. We can’t have all these people in the store,’” Mincher said. “So we set up curbside service, and See BOOM, page 10