Huron County View

Local businesses taking steps toward getting back to normal




Harjo’s Ben Franklin in Pigeon chose to remain taking curbside only orders last week, despite the option to open the store up to the public. The store began letting customers in by appointment this week and today, will be allowed to accept walk-ins. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)

Harjo’s Ben Franklin in Pigeon chose to remain taking curbside only orders last week, despite the option to open the store up to the public. The store began letting customers in by appointment this week and today, will be allowed to accept walk-ins. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)

HURON COUNTY – Some local businesses took the first steps last week to getting back to at least some version of a normal way of doing business.

Through last week’s executive order 2020-96, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced retail businesses and auto dealerships were able to open on Tuesday, May 26 by appointment, as part of her MI Safe Start plan.

“The data shows that Michigan is ready to phase in these sectors of our economy, but we must stay vigilant and ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19,” said Whitmer in a release. “On behalf of our brave first responders on the front lines of this crisis, we must continue to all do our part by staying safer at home. We owe it to them to do what we can to stop the spread of this virus.”

By Monday of this week, Whitmer had taken things a step further, announcing the end of the state’s stay-at-home order effective immediately, with restrictions lifting within the next week for various sectors of the economy.

Beginning today, June 4, retailers will be allowed to reopen without scheduling an appointment with customers. However, they will have to adhere to social distancing guidelines, require masks and limit their capacity.

Pat Flannery, president of Flannery Auto Mall in Bad Axe, said while he was glad for the new order from the governor, the initial complete shutdown of car dealership sales departments was too drastic a move. Especially as other dealerships in surrounding states fell under the “essential” blanket.

“We thought we could pull this off while keeping people safe,” Flannery said. “I’m proud of my employees. They really stepped up during all of this.”

Eventually, dealership sales departments in the state were opened up to internet and telephone sales and outdoor signings. Finally, on May 26, Flannery’s showroom was open by appointment, while practicing social distancing and other mitigation measures to protect workers.

“I think most businesses I’ve seen have been very serious about the nature of the problem,” he said. “I think everybody that I’ve talked to have made a lot of adjustments to their businesses.”

Despite his disagreements with some of Whitmer’s orders over the past few months, Flannery understands the difficulty of our current situation.

“I think in her heart, she’s doing what she thinks is right,” he said.

Added Flannery: “No matter what you do, you’re going to get a bit of polarization. When you start messing with businesses, no matter what you do, you’re going to have people on one side and people on the other.”

Another local business that has had to learn to adjust – and is continuing to adjust – is Harjo’s Ben Franklin, in Pigeon.

Despite being able to let 10 or less customers in the store by appointment last week, the store continued doing curbside pickup sales only out of caution, according to manager Heidi Burl.

“We’re probably the minority around here – we’re going really slow,” said Burl. “Particularly after Memorial Day – I kind of want to wait and see what happens.”

The store began doing appointments this week, but still at less than the allowed 10 customers at a time – per the governor’s order last week. Again, out of caution.

“We have a bigger store, but our aisles are very narrow, so it is hard to get around people without getting close,” she said.

Burl said Harjo employees have been working fewer hours, wearing masks at all times, have hand sanitizer and masks available at the door, a partition around the cash register, and practices social distancing.