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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2020)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Closed from A1 Company in Springfield, Caridio said he had al- ready been forced to lay off around 90 percent of employees. Around the block, owners of The Brew Sta- tion & Coast Fork Feed Emily Rinck and Dale Smith are faring some- what differently. “We have a very dif- ferent floor model than a lot of other pubs,” said Rinck. With half of the busi- ness dedicated to ani- mal feed and an array of gardening supplies, the owners have actually seen an uptick in sales as concerns about the coro- navirus grew. However, with the governor’s order, the pub is anticipating a drop in the weeks to come as The Brew Station switches to a take-out system. This may be bad news for em- ployees. “We’re hoping for fed- eral and state support for our employees,” said Smith. “Small business- es have the resiliency of the community, but they don’t have the resiliency of the dollars. … I would hope policy makers are looking to the other side and realize that it is small business that is the back- bone of community.” The owners also hope to continue to provide a sense of community de- spite the social distanc- ing. “I believe it’s going to be something that’s missed, but it’s not some- thing I feel is going away | MARCH 19, 2020 ing delivery options. — it’s just some- “[We] can at least thing that’s going keep a few people to be delivered in employed by putting a different manner out food to go,” said in the next four Caridio, speaking to weeks,” said Rinck. the need to keep the More tradition- local business ener- al restaurants and getic. cafes downtown The Brew Station, are also bracing for too, will put the take- stormy economic out model to trial for weather. a few days to see how Stacy Solomon, the community re- owner of Stacy’s sponds. Covered Bridge “If it doesn’t work Restaurant, is cau- for us, then we will tiously optimistic cut off the kitch- for his business. en and still stay for “It’s a pretty big growler fills that peo- impact,” he said. ple can access from “We’re not a really DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL a to-go type restau- A day after the announcment, restaurants and bars through- the feed store,” said Rinck. “We’ll go down rant. … We do have out town abided by the statewide ban on dine-in service. to a skeleton crew, our share of it, but most definitely. We for the most part them don’t rely just on a a selection of restaurant that’s not how we’re set paycheck. They rely on items to pass on to the want this business to be up.” tips, too. Unemployment community. Though not here and viable for our Still, Solomon de- doesn’t really make up providing any take-out employees when this is scribed the sudden state- for it.” services during the seat- over.” Enduring the eco- wide ban in unflattering Downtown restaurant ed dining ban, Suk was terms. Jack Sprats, too, has seen confident when asked if nomic hit will require “I thought it was a the laying off of several the closure might per- not only innovation by little extreme,” he said. employees as the busi- manently hurt the busi- local businesses, but ef- fort from locally-mind- “They could have taken ness transitions to take- ness. some time and let the out. “Honestly, I don’t ed community members restaurants prepare for it Outside of downtown, think so,” he said. “If this who want to participate instead of just dropping Oba Ramen, a relative goes on for more than in the city’s economic vi- it on them at one time.” newcomer to the Cot- two months … it’s going brancy. While health authori- Solomon acknowl- tage Grove restaurant to be hard getting back edged the shift as having family, has closed com- open. But if it’s just a ties urge citizens to prac- tice social distancing a potential existential pletely for the next four month, we can do it.” threat to business and weeks. Instead, Suk hopes at- and take hygienic steps emphasized the impor- On Tuesday morning, tentions will turn to oth- to reduce the spread of tance of such establish- Oba Ramen General ers who might be strug- the coronavirus, Smith expressed a worry that ments in the city. Manager Joseph Suk and gling. “It’s tough on all the restaurant staff stood in “I feel like the busi- a sense of isolation may restaurants,” he said. front of Cottage Grove nesses that are open, the set in for some. “I’m concerned this “In smaller towns, the High School deliver- community should go restaurants are kind of ing food to families of to them and help them will be divisive. To avoid a divisive situation, we the hub.” school children along- out,” he said. Like other businesses, side the district’s “Meal Downtown businesses will have to purposeful- Solomon is concerned for Kids” program. that have remained open ly unite and find those for his employees. In anticipation of its are doing so with enthu- touchstones that are nec- “I’ve had to pretty closing, the restaurant siasm, hurriedly putting essary to unite around,” much lay off most of my had emptied its stock of together to-go menus she said. “We have a crew,” he said. “A lot of perishables and cooked and some even consider- community that looks | 3A out for one another, but I think communication right now — a united communication that is consistent in theme and tone – is incredibly im- portant.” For many business owners, this means maintaining common sense vis a vis the coro- navirus outbreak, but also reaching out to the establishments they en- joy through the safest means possible, either to communicate needs or to extend patronage. “It would be really great if [people] adjusted their habits to think lo- cally and support those businesses they want to see still here once we get through this,” said Caridio, stressing possi- ble repercussions if the community overly iso- lates. “I could see that restaurants and bars that are on the edge aren’t go- ing to survive.” Solomon remained optimistic economic sta- bility would prevail. “I think the support is there in the communi- ty. I really do,” he said. “We’ve been here 21 years and they’ve always supported us, so we’ve been pretty fortunate for the most part. And I’m sure it’ll continue.” For her part, Rinck sees employees’ welfare as a key to emerging from the situation eco- nomically unscathed. “They’re at the fore- front of our mind,” she said. “The best way to support our businesses is by supporting the people that we employ.” ALLIGATOR AUCTION is the permanent, clog-free gutter solution!* % 75 OFF LABOR (4)- ✝ PLUS RECEIVE A $100 RESTAU A N T . C O M G I F T C A R D SATURDAY - March 28th 11AM-4PM Aprovecho/Stove Tech Stove, Ashley rocker/recliners, dog food, Hunting rifl e/knife, Shilo Inn, Gift Certifi cates for Food, Restaurants and Books. Many items in KNND’s front window. To get a bidder number call KNND between 2-5pm at 541-942-2468. KNND Alligator Radio trade auction is Saturday March 28th from 11am until 4pm. 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