Reopening Grundy County: Businesses around area react to governor's proclamation


From left to right, Elaine Hartke, Kelly Cooper and Sandi Beem sit down for lunch at the Manly Drug Store fountain on Monday. Governor Kim Reynolds allowed businesses in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties to reopen last Friday. (Robert Maharry/The Grundy Register photo)
By: 
Robert Maharry and Seth McDuffee
The Grundy Register

GRUNDY COUNTY- Rene Koopman of Parkersburg made the trip all the way to Grundy Center on Tuesday afternoon just to wait in the rain for her order from the Tasty House Chinese restaurant. It had been closed for over a month due to COVID-19, and the takeout lines stretched outside of the door.

           

“They have the best food, and the best service,” she said. “I love it.”

 

On Friday, May 1, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds loosened restrictions on libraries, restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and more in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties, which includes Grundy County. However, despite the lightening of provisions, area residents appear to be continuing to respect social distancing guidelines.          

 

Because of this, area businesses are choosing the models they believe works the best for them. Each has found a different way of continuing their operations while still adhering to protocol mandated by state officials.

 

Locally, Grundy Center Chamber-Main Street Director Natalie Kracht and Conrad C-MS Director Krista Grant have been involved in conversations and guidance with business owners in their communities on how to reopen safely and effectively.

 

“I think everybody has handled it a little differently, but for the most part, everybody has gotten creative about how to keep some sales coming in their doors,” Kracht, who also owns and operates The Natural Grind coffee shop, said. “What it really has done is help us step up our online game and our opportunity to sell curbside.”

 

Kracht is keeping an eye on any influx of visitors from counties like Black Hawk and Marshall that remain “closed” due to a high number of cases in hopes of limiting any potential exposure to the virus. In addition to take-out from local restaurants, “freezer meals” from places like Stylish Living and Corn Crib Creations have become increasingly popular during the quarantine, and the owners of restaurants and catering services have delivered meals (made possible by donations) to individuals who are shut-in as a result of the crisis.

 

“It is the most rewarding experience ever,” Kracht said. “We’ve been able to give back to the community because others have given to us.”

 

In Conrad, That Place Steakhouse reopened at half capacity on Tuesday night while encouraging reservations, and all of the downtown businesses except for the hair salons were at least partially reopened as this issue went to press. The library is remaining closed for the time being because it is generally used by older residents of the community who could be at risk for exposure.

 

“I think our businesses will be okay, (but) I do think it’s going to be a struggle for a few of them,” Grant said. “I think it’s getting better, but it’s a different world. It’s never going to be the same in the near future.”

 

The fountain at Manly Drug Store was one of the first restaurants in Grundy Center to reopen for sit-down meals, and on Monday, the regulars began to trickle back in. The pharmacy and the attached Hallmark/As You Like It store have been open throughout the pandemic as essential businesses.

 

“It’s been very negative for us. Our Easter displays, when we took them down, they looked like the day we put them up,” Hallmark/As You Like It Manager Barb Smith said. “Now, we’re getting busier, in part because we’re driven by seasons. We’ve got graduation and Mother’s Day, so that’s giving us some help.”

 

Pharmacist Dave Stefl, who owns the drug store, has been paying close attention to the governor’s guidance and continuing to enforce social distancing and capacity even as the fountain reopens.

 

“It will be a very definite gradual growth back, I believe, because people are very much used to not being in a social engagement for several months,” Stefl said. “I think people are very cautious about reintroducing themselves back in a place where there could be possible exposure and customers.”

 

And even as the pharmacy has stayed open, Stefl estimated that business has been down at least 30 percent due to the temporary suspension of elective procedures and patients choosing not to go to a doctor at all to avoid exposure.

 

Retail shops like Little Prairie Girl and 319 Décor and Design have also reopened in downtown Grundy Center, and Kracht reported that both did well over the weekend without being overwhelmed by a huge surge in foot traffic.

 

Katie Lewis, who owns 319, was able to keep her business strong with curbside and online orders, and she kept most of her employees onboard during the shutdown despite the disruption.

 

“We’re very happy with being in a small town where people do support us even when times get tough,” Lewis said. “It’s second to none here in Grundy Center. All of my clients or people that come and shop here have been so supportive, and I just don’t think that if I was located in a bigger town, that would happen… It’s a very humbling experience.”

 

The Den, a fitness center and gym in Dike, has reopened their doors as of May 1. According to a post from their social media account on Facebook, business hours are as usual, though they have placed signs indicating that every other piece of equipment in the facility is “unavailable,” in order to practice proper social distancing guidelines.

 

The Landmark Bistro in Grundy Center has continued curbside service only, for the foreseeable future. But this hasn’t put a stop to their creativity. The restaurant continues to offer daily specials and exclusive deals, even without the usual foot traffic.

 

Slice Ultra-Shed in Dike has also decided to keep to curbside service, promising to “monitor and discuss” moving to dine-in again “on a weekly basis.”

 

Some establishments have been closed since the initial announcement by Gov. Reynolds in March, as the uncertainty of the pandemic has made it difficult to do normal business.

 

Tasty House had shuttered their service through the last two months but took the opportunity to reopen the first week of May, with take-away only service as their sole option. But this did not seem to deter customers from visiting, as there was a line out the door on Tuesday, May 5, and hungry residents waited to get their orders in after the prolonged closure.

 

“This is the best restaurant around,” said Tara Coleman. She and her husband Bobby drove from Dike, and said that they cheered when they saw the restaurant was open.

 

“They remembered us, even though we haven’t been here in so long,” Mr. Coleman said.

 

None of the people in line minded at all that they were take-out only, just happy to have one of their favorite eateries back.

 

In Reinbeck, restaurants are open at half capacity, while bars and playgrounds are still closed. And in Wellsburg, the playgrounds are still closed. The public library was completely closed and is now doing curbside. Government buildings are all still closed.

 

There is a sense of comfort in being able to return to places that you enjoy, and it’s clear by customers’ comments. Whether they come from a post on a business’ social media account, or from beaming smiles or under masks beneath an awning in the rain outside of a brick-and-mortar building, people seem to be searching for that little bit of normal they’ve been missing for a while.

           

“It’s always good to have patients reintroducing themselves back into your business,” Stefl said.

           

And it’s also a strong reminder about the importance of shopping local, as the crisis has painted a picture of what small towns might look like without their businesses.

           

“It’s really nice to look down Main Street and see 25 cars today, when for the last month we only saw about five,” Grant said about Conrad on Tuesday. “Remember what it was like when they were closed, and think if we never had them.”

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