The Doors May Be Locked But It’s Still Business As Usual
by Brendan Smith
Weirs Times Editor
As the threat of Covid-19 has changed all of our lives to one extent or another, businesses have been finding ways to adapt so that they can hopefully come out on the other side ready to open their front doors to the public once again and get back to business as usual.
Two weeks ago we focused on the restaurant businesses that have been adapting by focusing on all take-out, delivery and curbside business as the sit down portion of their business will be closed for at least another month.
Some retail businesses, at first deemed non-essential and asked to close, have now been given a much needed reprieve by still being allowed to be open for business while not exactly being “open”.
Country Cottage in Meredith, specializes in Real Wood Furniture, and has actually been ahead of the game. Kim Boyland, one of the managing partners at Country Cottage, has been in the business for about thirty years and has seen a lot of changes.
“I’ve always found it important to keeping adapting,” said Boyland. “I have been working on this type of retail sales for a long time, way before the Covid-19 threat.”
Using live video tours or even just snapshots of items, Country Cottage had seen the need to offer online, not in store, sales techniques for a while now.
“For example, you have some older folks who don’t necessarily want to travel for whatever reason,” said Boyland. “Being able to take a video tour of our inventory saves them the trip to the store.”
It was with Governor Sununu’s secondary order that allowed retail businesses, deemed non-essential, to now offer curbside pick up and delivery.
With their video tours already in place, Country Cottage was ready to meet the challenge. In fact, they had locked their front door and closed to walk-in business before the initial order was issued, seeing the need for social distancing.
“The whole process is simple,” said Boyland. “I ask the customer what they would like, then we give them the video tour of those items or just send snapshots to their phone. They pay over the phone and then come to the store for pickup. They can call when they arrive and then back up their car or truck and we load it up. Then they can check out the item, hopefully give us a thumbs up and be on their way. With delivery the customer puts out a tarp or blanket out on the driveway, we will drive up and unload the item and get back in our truck, they can then come and check it out and if everything is okay, we are on our way.”
Boyland also emphasized the use gloves and all safety and sanitary measures by employees at Country Cottage.
Boyland has also been reaching out to other furniture stores to help them adapt to more online presence as well as communicating with suppliers to get the word out to others in the business.
“I think this may go on for awhile,” said Boyland. “So adapting is the only way. We can’t stop living.”
Country Cottage is located at 717 NH-104, Meredith and can be reached at (603) 744-9333 or online at countrycottagefurniture.com
Cozy Cabin Rustics, is currently operating only out of their Plymouth location (they have closed the Meredith site for now). Specializing in Rustic Wood Furniture they also offer mattresses, hot tubs, artwork and rugs. They are also open for business through virtual sales.
“We are here for our regular business hours, but are doors are locked,” said owner Mark Card. “We offer our services through Internet questions directed at us through our website cozycabinrustics.com. We also are happy to give a video tour through Facetime and show our customers and guide them through the process and help them with sizes and other options.”
Their website also provides a look at their entire inventory which customers can browse before contacting them.
Curbside pickup is also available at Cozy Cabin Rustics as well as delivery to most locations. All necessary safety and sanitary precautions are always taken.
“Right now we are overstocked at the store so there are many great items that are available for immediate pick up,” said Card. “If the item being ordered is not in stock, we do have about an 8-10 week timeframe as opposed to the 6-8 week window we used to have.”
Cozy Cabin Rustics is located at 742 Tenney Mountain Highway, Plymouth. You can call or text your needs or ideas to Mike at 603-728-5077 or John at 603-520-4976. You can also call their business number for voice messages only at 603-238-3250.
Suzanne’s Window Treatments in Alton Bay advertises their “Designing From A Distance” consultations.
“This is something that I offer to clients who have second homes and prefer to have their projects done while they are away,” said owner Suzanne Marvin. “We do a lot of suggestions through email and fabric samples sent through the mail. Decisions can be made without human contact though that is not the preferred way. Installations can happen while the client is away and they can be surprised when they arrive for their vacation. This has worked well. This could also work with the client home, sending photos, approving designs and fabrics. The finished product can be either installed while client is away or after this pandemic has abated.”
During the Covid-19 outbreak, Suzanne’s Window Treatments has transformed their workroom into a very busy mask making workroom, making flannel lined washable masks. They are donating one mask for every ten they sell.
For more information on Suzanne’s Windows call 781-272-7878 or online at suzanneswindows.com
Frank Webb Home in Gilford is a bath, kitchen and lighting dealer and is offering consultations via Zoom to visit their showroom as well as discuss your project details.
On their website customers are directed to a page to help customers set up a showroom consultation as well as how to set up Zoom account. And for those who are a bit intimidated by dealing with technology. consultants at the store are also available by the old fashioned method of telephone or even just by email.
A letter to customers on their website reads: “These are extraordinary times as the Covid-19 situation continues to evolve. Your health and safety and that of our employees is our top priority.”
You can find more information at frankwebb.com. Their Gilford location is at 3012 Hounsell Ave. You can reach them at 603-524-2736.
Of course, there are many other local retailers out there who are adapting to these unique times. Just like those in the restaurant business, they need our continued support so they will be there when we come out on the other side of this.