Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />As pandemic-related restrictions are beginning to <br />lift, Gem Lake businesses are coming back to life. <br />For some it has become a continual process of <br />adjusting to changing rules, changing customer <br />traffic and changing consumer habits. The mood is <br />guarded optimism. <br /> <br />For instance, at White Bear Floral, there have <br />been hopeful signs of a return to pre-pandemic <br />business volumes. Mother’s Day floral sales were <br />very brisk, and the greenhouse had a virtual sell- <br />out on their garden planters and starter flats. <br /> <br />However, the past three months have been <br />challenging. White Bear Floral had to furlough 80% <br />of their staff. The business had to shut down <br />completely for two weeks after the state of <br />emergency was initially declared in mid-March. <br />They were able to open up for curb-side pick-up <br />and on-line sales after that. In May, they were <br />allowed to open up their retail space, with <br />restrictions. <br /> <br />Funeral and wedding floral sales have been down <br />significantly, due to the circ umstances. At present, <br />folks are coming out to shop with a sense of joy, or <br />a response to cabin fever, or both! “People want to <br />get out and they want to start gardening again,” <br />says Darlene Birkeland, who owns White Bear <br />Floral with her husband John. They are currently <br />working with a small staff, including their daughter <br />Melanie. They hope to see things steadily improve. <br /> <br />The County Lounge, next door to White Bear <br />Floral, was able to open up their outdoor facilities <br />on June 1. They were very thankful to have an <br />outdoor space to utilize. As of June 10, they could <br />open up the bar for indoor use. <br /> <br />Traffic has been small but steady. It is too early to <br />form any judgements about trends. The first week <br />of operations for the County Lounge brought in <br />about half the normal traffic. <br /> <br />Gem Lake Hills Golf Course lost about two <br />weeks from their normal season, when pandemic <br />restrictions forced them to remain closed. After the <br />Governor gave courses the go ahead to open on <br />April 19, things have begun to spring back to life. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Recovery Begins as Businesses Seek “New Normal” <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />After a slow first week or so, things have picked <br />up significantly. Current traffic rivals last year’s <br />volumes and may even surpass them if things <br />keep up. <br /> <br />Leagues and junior golfing have come back and <br />this is helping the overall picture, according to <br />General Manager Matt Greer. “The course is <br />now very busy. People are really happy to be <br />outside and enjoying golf again.” <br /> <br />The White Bear Meadery on County Road E <br />had the added challenge of being a very new <br />business when the pandemic hit. The business <br />opened its doors in late June of 2019 and was <br />just beginning to build a significant customer <br />base. <br /> <br />According to owner Joshua Eckton, “People are <br />really enjoying having more options, such as <br />indoor seating. We were doing okay with take- <br />out, but this is of course better.” The White Bear <br />Meadery already had a loyal customer base who <br />loved their products and was okay with take out. <br />This really helped get through previous month, <br />when business has been down about 60%. <br /> <br />Joshua says it has also helped that he has <br />continued to introduce new meads, despite the <br />circumstances. This has included several new <br />products in the past few months. “It keeps <br />people interested.” <br />