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The Cautious Slowly Evolving New Normal by NJ & PA Governors
We are now in the third month of the Covid-19 quarantine. The State of New Jersey is still in a lockdown mode. Governor Murphy is taking a cautious approach because new jersey has experienced a high rate of infections and deaths due to the coronavirus.

Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania has announced that on June 5, 2020, the commonwealth will relax the quarantine for Southeastern Pennsylvania. He further stated that sixteen counties will go green and red counties will go yellow.

An interesting story I recently viewed on television about Easton PA. Mayor Sal Panto has plans to help local retailers and restaurants. His plan is to close city streets to traffic between 4:00 PM and midnight, Thursday through Sunday. This will allow retailers to display merchandise outside and allow dining at a safe social distance.

Kudos to Mayor Parto for his proactive leadership in supporting the Easton, PA economy. Hopefully, this will be a model for other mayors to follow.

According to NJ.com, Governor Phil Murphy is slowly easing the Covid-19 restrictions in New Jersey. The Governor said he is “taking deliberate incremental steps in reopening the state and avoiding large steps taken together.”

Stores & supermarkets deemed essential, from CVS, Walmart and Costco to ShopRite and Trader Joe’s are open
The essential businesses that remain open — some with limitations — include:
Auto repair shops
Banks and other financial institutions
Bars and restaurants (for drive-through, delivery and takeout only)
Bicycle shops (but only to provide service and repairs)
Convenience stores and grocery stores (any stores that sell food)
Farming equipment stores
Food banks
Gas stations
Gun shops
Hardware stores
Laundromats and dry-cleaning services
Liquor stores
Livestock feed stores
Mail and package delivery stores
Medical supply stores
Microbreweries or brewpubs (for home delivery only)
Mobile phone retail and repair shops
Nurseries and garden centers
Office supply stores and printing shops
Pet stores
Pet groomers, pet daycare providers and pet boarding businesses
Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries
Stores that sell items for religious observance or worship
Stores that sell supplies for young children

In closing, I would like to say that the Delaware Valley will continue to lose businesses. Some business owners have become creative in adapting their business model by offering pick-up and delivery options, while others have become more aggressive with their online presence. Unfortunately, these are survival tactics and slow the rate of hemorrhaging cash. The fixed costs for restaurants and retail stores can not meet the expenses to creditors when a business is not allowed to use the full capacity of its buildings. Contact your city and town officials ask them to implement the Easton model as a possible way of increasing sales volume. It’s time for local officials to step up and help.

Please let us know what innovative ideas you or others have used to stimulate sales during this pandemic. nick@kbizbrokers.com

Be safe, wear your mask, gloves, and wash your hands.