Bill Burtton removes the sign from the Espinoza Music Academy in downtown Mineola so that it can be repainted.

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Jason Herring, owner of Cowburners BBQ and Taproom in downtown Mineola, takes a call-in order at the restaurant, which has remained open for takeout service during the coronavirus restrictions which have been ongoing for more than a month. The governor announced restaurants can reopen on Friday while following social distancing and capacity requirements.

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Virgil George prepares an order of Q-fries to-go for a Cowburners customer.

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

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Area businesses have taken a hit during the COVID-19 crisis.

Some restaurants are open for to-go and delivery only, and small retail stores have just recently been able to open for to-go shopping.

Some businesses seem to be maintaining while some small business owners wonder if they’ll be able to survive at all.

Val’s Italian Restaurant had been open only one day in Mineola when the mandates shut their doors to dine-in customers. Mineola seemed to be excitedly waiting for the new restaurant, and it shows as they have remained busy with carry-out orders. Sales have remained steady and Val’s is prepared to fully open again soon.

Kitchens Hardware and Deli has been serving Mineola for over 30 years.

With the regulations put in place during the COVID-19 outbreak, they have seen an 80% decline. They’ve lost most of their staff due to hours being reduced and many self-quarantining and did not get approved for the Paycheck Protection Program loan which would help keep their employees on payroll. 

Owner Corbie Doggett has started selling alcohol to-go and has ventured into crawfish and boiled shrimp sales on weekends, but says “the future is looking bleak right now.”

At Cowburners, sales have been down only 30-40%, and some days are as good as before the coronavirus restrictions. Owner Jason Herring says he believes it’s because their style of food is easy to grab and go.

He has not had to lay off any employees and has kept his restaurant fully staffed.

Because of Cowburners’ TABC license, they have always been allowed to sell beer to-go but have seen a big surge in alcohol sales recently. They have started delivering and have added a small market section for food staples.

Herring says he is looking forward to having a beer with his friends over some awesome barbecue when the mandates are all over. 

On Friday, April 24, retail stores were given permission to reopen with limited service to customers. While this new way of shopping may help ease the burden some, it comes with challenges.

Under the model, retailers are required to deliver items to customers’ home, car or other location to minimize contact.

Owners are taking pictures of their merchandise and selling online, but it takes much more time.

Like most retailers, Between Friends owner Donna Hanger says it has been difficult to keep their business going. Between Friends has 20 vendors who pay rent for their booth space, and Hanger is working hard to promote their merchandise. She and her husband have been putting more merchandise in window displays and taking pictures and videos to post on social media to promote sales.

Hanger is looking forward to opening their store full time again, but in the meantime they are doing their part to keep customers safe. They are wearing masks and gloves when delivering merchandise to the customer.

When they do open again, Between Friends will have five stations throughout the store set up with hand sanitizer and hope their customers will maintain a six-foot distance and wear masks if required. 

Erica Moon, co-owner of Moon’s Harvest Bath & Body Shop, has also seen their sales slow down. Interestingly, local business has increased while online sales have dropped. 

Over the last month, while the store-front has been closed, they have taken the opportunity to work on their website and online platforms. 

The website offers 200-300 products, much more than they can keep in the store. Inventory is low now, but they are preparing to open and resume normalcy.