'Riding the storm': Westmoreland shops add delivery to bolster business

Some local businesses are finding ways to stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic by venturing into new territory — delivery.

Orders have exploded for Greenhouse Winery, based in Sewickley Township, since starting a wine delivery service last week, said general manager Steve Helinski. They saw 12 orders the first day and 15 during the weekend.

“We put it on Facebook, and our first post kind of blew up,” he said.

Bill Gourdie has seen the same for “parent survival kits” at Bushy Run Winery. His winery, which relies on sales from wine festivals that are being canceled, sold about five cases during the weekend through delivery, he said.

“When we saw that the kids were going to be home for at least two weeks, we thought let’s help out the parents,” Gourdie said. “We decided to play up on the survival thing.”

Businesses and restaurants are in the middle of a rapidly-changing landscape as the nation copes with the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered a 14-day shutdown of all nonessential businesses statewide. Essential services such as trash collection, grocery stores and medical facilities may continue, he said.

Takeout and delivery services are permitted at restaurants, Wolf said. He ordered on Friday that schools close for two weeks.

The measures are in an effort to fight the pandemic that has sickened thousands across the country and at least 76 people in Pennsylvania. Six cases have been reported in Allegheny County and one in Washington County as of Monday afternoon.

Establishments around the area have scrambled to get delivery options in place during the past few days as state officials increase outreach efforts for people who may find themselves unemployed.

“I’m getting really, really worried about these folks,” Greensburg Mayor Robert Bell said.

A business’ ability to stay afloat will depend on the industry and size of the operation, said Jim Kunkel, director of the Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center. He suggested staggering or rotating workers in the same department so the entire crew doesn’t get sick in the event of a suspected coronavirus case.

“These are certainly unprecedented times,” he said. “There is no magic bullet.”

Caffe Barista in Greensburg started offering free delivery of boxed lunches Monday through the end of the month.

“Instead of laying anyone off,” employees will be hopping in their vehicles to deliver lunch orders in the area, said owner Lisa Hegedus. “We’re keeping it status quo here, and we’re going to ride the storm.”

She started noticing a change in breakfast business practically overnight last week. Her catering business has come to a standstill.

“This is just awful,” Hegedus said. “I feel bad for restaurants that are dine-in only.”

Jim Seaman, owner of Scratch Living Coffee in Scottdale, doesn’t want anyone stuck at home to run out of coffee. He temporarily closed his coffee shop for 14 days but said Monday he plans to fill any local orders of ground and whole bean coffee.

“We’re going to pick a day or two per week … and run around,” he said. “We definitely wanted to make sure that everyone stays safe but we didn’t want to leave people without options.”

Local businesses are faced with tough decisions — whether to close, lay off employees, scale back operations or cancel events. The community can support them now through a variety of means, such as buying gift cards to use another time or offering a kind word amid tough decisions.

“People giving that support is super helpful,” Seaman said.

Bell encouraged residents to think of their communities first instead of heading straight to a large retailer to buy something.

“Go to these people and help them out,” he said. “If people can buy it here locally, I would appreciate it.”

Tips for businesses

The Downtown Greensburg Project provided six tips for residents to help local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Shop local instead of online or at a big box store

• Buy gift cards for local establishments

• Make an online order or call the business to order and pick it up or have it delivered

• Get takeout or delivery from restaurants

• Consider a bigger tip

• Attend community events