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frankfortstationdaily.com news
the frankfort station | March 26, 2020 | 5
Chamber aims to help businesses affected by closures, shutdown
4
Nuria Mathog, Editor
State-mandated closures
of bars, restaurants and
other businesses in an effort
to curb the spread of
COVID-19 have hit small
businesses hard, and the
Frankfort business community
is no exception.
Frankfort Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director
Marianne Melcher
said these new restrictions
have had a significant
impact on the Chamber's
approximately 670 members,
and the Chamber is
looking to support these
businesses in any way
possible.
"It's obviously devastating
to those owners,"
Melcher said. "We're trying
to do what we can to
help them, but it's really
Raffy’s Candy Store is one of 14 businesses registered
with the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce’s E-Gift Card,
which can be used at any participating business, an
initiative the Chamber is promoting to help the local
business community in the wake of recent closures
across the State. Nuria Mathog/22nd Century Media
affecting all of our businesses,
because people
are being quarantined,
not going out shopping.
So, we're just encouraging
everyone to keep the
public informed, keep the
social media updated with
their hours and information.
Anything that we can
share, we're happy to do
that."
Melcher said the Chamber's
best recommendations
for helping local
businesses are ordering
takeout or delivery, purchasing
gift cards for local
shops, being patient and
non-judgmental, showing
kindness and gratitude and
offering hope.
She noted residents can
support local businesses
by buying an E-Gift Card,
a new initiative the Chamber
launched prior to the
pandemic, which can be
used at any participating
Frankfort business. Currently,
14 businesses are
registered with the service:
Body & Brain, Body
Fountain, Briosa Boutique,
Budget Blinds of
Frankfort, Enrico's Italian
Dining, Fuse Salon, My
Sisters and Me Boutique,
Raffy's Candy, Royal Salt
Cave & Spa, Silver Strand
Boutique, Simply Home
Again, The Brow Lounge,
Whimsy and White Street
Cafe.
"It's convenient,"
Melcher said. "People can
buy them online, and they
use it at any of them ... We
would love to see more
members sign up for this
gift card opportunity. It's
no financial gain whatsoever
for the Chamber.
It's just to help the businesses."
The Chamber is also
working to provide up-todate
information on how
local businesses are adapting
to the new restrictions.
While some establishments,
such as Emagine
Theater, Grounded Coffee
Bar and Anytime Fitness,
are closed at the moment,
others have made changes
to hours or services. Old
Plank Trail Community
Bank announced it would
be temporarily closing its
lobbies but would still allow
drive-up and walk-up
services, Snow Family
Dental is only seeing existing
patients with dental
emergencies and restaurants
such as Dancing
Marlin are serving customers
via carryout, curbside
pickup and delivery.
A full list of affected
businesses can be found
at the Chamber's website,
frankfortchamber.com,
and Frankfort Chamber
of Commerce Events and
Please see business, 6
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