Midway retailers prepare to reopen, but for some the new normal will be very different from the old normal

Morgan Castle, right, of the Gigi & George shop on East Main Street talked with Elisha Holt, promoter for the Midway Business Association, about a Facebook video Holt was preparing to do about the shop and other stores last week.

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Many businesses in Midway are getting ready to reopen after the covid-19 pandemic forced them to close their doors for almost two months, but some won’t be as open as they were before.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all “non-life-sustaining businesses" to close March 26, to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the state's case numbers surged. Many restaurants went to curbside and delivery service, but that wasn’t feasible for most retailers.

With daily new cases at a rough plateau, Kentucky began phase one of Beshear's reopening plan Monday, May 11, with manufacturing, distribution centers, office-based businesses, pet groomers and other low-risk businesses allowed to open their doors.

On Wednesday, May 20, retail stores will be allowed to reopen and restaurants can open in-service dining at one-third capacity plus outdoor seating Friday, May 22.

For some local businesses, this kicks off what will be a resumption of some normalcy. 

As businesses reopen or prepare to reopen in Midway, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift has sent each local business a copy of the state guidelines for reopening.

“My biggest concern is that store and restaurant owners and employees wear masks when they are in the store or restaurant and around customers and that customers wear masks when they are in the store,” Vandegrift said.

“It’s going to be very important that businesses follow the guidelines strictly, which includes the limited-occupancy restrictions as well.”

In order to get Midway back to work safely, Vandegrift says the city will provide masks to any business in town that needs them, and it will use “all statutory authority available to enforce the guidelines if necessary. This would include pulling the business license of any business that creates a threat to the safety and health of Midway citizens and visitors.”

Vandegrift said the businesses that will open May 20 are:

●            Milam House

●            Damselfly

●            Fisher's Antiques

●            Southern Sunday

●            Midway Boutique

●            Midway Historic Gift Store (curbside only)

●            Breckinridge

●            The Back Room

What about restaurants? Vandegrift said he will sign an executive order temporarily allowing restaurants to use the sidewalks in front of their establishments for outdoor seating, so long as they maintain a walking path for pedestrians.

The Messenger talked with several businesses about their reopening plans, some that will open and some that stay closed for now.

Historic Midway Museum Gift Store, 124 E. Main St.

Owners Bill and Leslie Penn say they’ll continue to do business differently despite being allowed to reopen.

With books, jewelry and other items that customers often touch, the Penns say it’s impossible to clean them all. Also, they are both over 65, and thus considered more vulnerable to the virus, and want to assure the health of customers and themselves. So, they said they don’t expect to reopen as normal until a covid-19 vaccine becomes available to the public, which could take a year or more.

The Penns said they are thinking of opening on Saturdays with an outside booth full of items for customers to examine and purchase while keeping a social distance. Customers can reach them by phone or email to inquire about specific items.

The store will continue offering delivery and curbside pickup and will allow residents to pay with “Midway Bucks,” the $50 in vouchers that the city will mail to all water customers next week for spending at local, non-franchise businesses.

Gigi and George, 120 E, Main St.

Morgan Castle says her antique and leather store will reopen May 20 and continue its normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Castle says customers may shop while maintaining a social distance and can also use curbside pickup if they do not feel comfortable coming indoors. She says one challenges of reopening will be keeping items clean, since many of the antiques cannot be cleaned with bleach. Instead, Castle says she is using fleece oil.

Anyone using Midway Bucks will get 10% off, Castle said.

Back Room, 138 E. Main St.

The Back Room is on the list of businesses that will reopen Wednesday but tell the Messenger that in-person shopping will be limited.

The store will continue both delivery and curbside pickup services and accept Midway Bucks. Items such as books, toys and their popular stuffed animals can be found on their website and Instagram page.

Milam House, 140 E. Main St.

The Milam House will reopen May 20, Jan Ramos said. It will resume normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday but will be closed Sundays.

For customers uncomfortable entering the store, curbside pickup and delivery will be available, and Midway Bucks will be accepted.

Southern Sunday, 106 E. Main St.

Southern Sunday will be reopening their doors Wednesday but with strict protocols in place.

Owner Megan McClure tells the Messenger that no more than eight people can be in the shop at one time; everyone will be offered hand sanitizer as they come in the door and again at checkout, and everyone will be asked that to wear a mask upon entering and to maintain a distance of at least six feet between other shoppers.

All clothes that are tried on will be steamed afterward, and private appointments will be offered for anyone interested in shopping alone. Shoppers can email megan@shopsouthernsunday.com for more information.

Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.

Railroad Drug, 115 E. Main St.

As an essential business, Railroad Drug & Old Time Soda Fountain has been open to curbside customers since the beginning of the Pandemic.

On May 20, customers will be allowed inside the building to pick up prescriptions. Two days later, the soda fountain will be open to dine-in customers, along with restaurants, but at only one-third capacity.

Owner Ken Glass tells the Messenger all workers will be wearing masks and customers will be expected to do the same. To ensure social distancing, they will have the floor marked off to allow customers to spread out six feet apart.

They will maintain their normal business hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Information about other stores may be added by emailing Messenger intern Aaron Gershon here.