Vaccination and mask mandates are being placed around America for the safety of businesses. The “shop local” initiative derived from the beginning of the pandemic has built relationships within communities and assisted the local economy as well. This consumer trend united Americans at a time of uncertainty. Vaccination and mask mandates have been placed to maximize safety from COVID-19 and other evolved variants in the area. Two local businesses were interviewed to explain how they plan to handle the future of the pandemic in Erie.
The Brewerie at Union Station, located at 123 W. 14th St., has noted how the increased capacity laws have helped businesses thrive under these circumstances. The six-foot rule made flooring plans difficult to arrange in order to reach even 75 percent capacity.
“I feel that the vaccination and mask mandates are an essential part in today’s society to work towards a United community. That can only be achieved through herd immunity,” stated an employee of The Brewerie.
They are hopeful for employees and customers to come together to strive towards normality by following the protocols established by the CDC.
Andora’s, a modern and relatively new local favorite located at 516 State St., has been doing all they can to keep their employees and customers safe from the effects of the pandemic.
“We will follow whatever the health department tells us to do,” an employee of the bubble tea store said. “We follow precautionary laws to keep our customers safe.”
Andora’s has evolved in a way that limits customer staff interactions by implementing a grab-and-go fridge for to-go orders. Despite the cancelation of certain events, business has increased due to their expansion of flavors and merchandise.
The enthusiasm of the community has greatly impacted local businesses by encouraging them to follow the CDC guidelines in a way that strives towards a future of normality, post-COVID-19. However, not all customers have cooperated with these local businesses. The Brewerie has even had to add “Be Kind or Leave” signs in an attempt to reduce surges of impatient and unkind customers. By respecting local businesses and supporting their attempts to decrease COVID-19 cases, the community can come together in a healthful way to peruse life as it was known before the pandemic.
