For Tucson business owners whose services require human connection and can’t be packed into a takeout container, the impacts of social distancing due to the novel coronavirus may have long-lasting impacts.
From indoor playgrounds to arcades, bowling alleys, gyms and beauty salons, these business owners face a unique challenge with little alternative to gathering.
“It’s been really tough,” said David Weinstein, co-executive manager of Defy Tucson, an indoor entertainment and trampoline park that opened last year at the shopping center on Stone Avenue and River Road.
“We’ve had several customers email and call us, basically saying they’re bummed that we’re closed,” he said. “But everyone’s health is paramount.”
Defy Tucson’s 50 employees have been furloughed.
“We look forward to bringing them back,” Weinstein said. “We’re optimistic that the closure will be short enough that we won’t have trouble picking up where we left off, but we also want to be a good community citizen and we’re not going to open one day before the government says there’s an all-clear.”
Around town, temporary closure signs are taped to service-based business such as hair salons, nail shops and gyms.
Some bowling alleys have “pizza to go” signs on the front door.
Last week, El Jefe Cat Lounge, which offers visitation with cats in need of adoption, closed and the cats were returned to Hermitage No Kill Cat Shelter.
Opened in October, the novel lounge concept had started to get a steady stream of customers, said co-owner Tiffany Lee.
“We were just starting to hit our goal in February and thought, ‘Yes, this is going to work’ then bam!” she said.
Owner Tiffany Lee gives cats their lunch at El Jefe Cat Lounge. Businesses that offer in-person experiences, such the cat lounge, face a challenge with social distancing.
She said the landlord at her center, on Campbell Avenue, just south of Fort Lowell Road, offered discounted rent for the month of April and she is looking to get a small-business loan.
“The problem is we don’t know how long this is going to last,” Lee said. “How long do we need to borrow?”
GAME PLANNING
Greg Furrier, a retail specialist with Picor Commercial Real Estate Services, said most landlords will be flexible with tenants.
“Every tenant has the rent for April in the bank,” he said. “I think the rent problem will begin as early as May 1.”
If the Small Business Administration comes through with expedited loans, many will survive the closures.
Negotiating with the landlord is crucial, keeping in mind that they have monthly expenses on the property, such as taxes, insurance and maintenance, Furrier said.
But negotiating a reduction in rent or a short-term waiver is worth exploring.
“The service businesses will have a tough time, but I could see fitness taking place in public parks while maintaining social distance,” Furrier said. “Why not set up spin bikes outside? I think people will respond in a positive way and it would help the business keep their customers loyal until the mess is over.”
Communication and creativity is key, said Michael Coretz, with Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson.
“For all businesses, not only destination businesses, building communication with your employees, customers and landlords is important for you to benefit from when you reopen your business,” he said. “Wineries having virtual happy hours, virtual exercise programs are just a few examples I have seen.”
Still, small businesses should plan for worst-case scenario, Coretz said.
“Reduce your spending by refinancing and taking advantage of the low-interest rate loans or economic relief programs that are available to help you weather this storm,” he said. “Renegotiate leases and offer to extend terms for waivers now.”
Most importantly, if you lease space, reach out to your landlord.
“They know your business is impacted, but they may not know how much it’s impacted,” Coretz said. “Tenants have a tremendous amount of leverage right now (because) the landlord has every incentive to be flexible — it’s better to have a filled space than an empty one.”
For property owners that have mortgages, banks will show some flexibility for a few months.
“The economy was strong prior to this pandemic,” Coretz said. “Depending on how long this lasts, once it’s over there will be pent-up demand by the consumers and the economy will bounce back.”
Photos for March 27: Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
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The doors are still open at Sacred Art Tattoo on 1024 E. 6th St., as of Friday, March 27, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Seth Nadeau, left, and his son Anthony Nadeau get out of the house for a couple of game so horse under cloudy skies on the courts at Christ Church United Methodist, March 27, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Victoria Quintero, 5, holds her sign as her mother, Vanessa, waves to the teachers and administrators from John E. White Elementary School and Pistor Middle School during a Car Parade through the neighborhood on March 27, 2020. The teachers and administrators drove their cars through the neighborhood to say hello to their students from their cars.
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Teachers and administrators from John E. White Elementary School and Pistor Middle School cheer and wave to their students during a Car Parade through the neighborhood on March 27, 2020. The teachers and administrators drove their cars through the neighborhood to say hello to their students from their cars.
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Standing, Kai Morales, left, and his twin brother, Kristian, hold up their signs as Karim, 9, and their mother, Angelica, sit in the bed of the truck along W. Nebraska Street during a Car Parade on March 27, 2020. The teachers and administrators drove their cars through the neighborhood to say hello to their students from their cars.
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Students of John E. White Elementary School and Pistor Middle School stand along W. Nebraska Street and wave to their teachers during a Car Parade on March 27, 2020. The teachers and administrators drove their cars through the neighborhood to say hello to their students from their cars.
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Teachers and administrators from John E. White Elementary School and Pistor Middle School line up along W. Canada Street before the start of their Car Parade on March 27, 2020. The teachers and administrators drove their cars through the neighborhood to say hello to their students from their cars.
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The noted bull testicles on the statue outside Casa Molina at Speedway and Wilmot, usually painted in various schemes and wild colors, now sporting a surgical mask.
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Pfc. Gustavo Escalera, of the Arizona National Guard, waves in the next car to his station at the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank on March 27, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has been activated to help the demanding need to fill and handout food boxes for people in Tucson and five counties in southern Arizona. Thirty troops arrived in Tucson on Thursday and another thirty are expected. According to Spc. John Randall, the troops are here to fill in the gaps in logistics to help keep up the production of putting together and handing out food boxes.
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Spc. Nicholas McCormick, of the Arizona National Guard, waits for the next car to pull up at the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank.
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Spc. Emilio Maldonado, of the Arizona National Guard, pushes a several bags down an assembly line at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on March 26, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has been activated to help the demanding need to fill food boxes for people in Tucson and five counties in southern Arizona.
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Spc. Gabriel Molina, of the Arizona National Guard, fills bags with food items on an assembly line at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on March 26, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has been activated to help the demanding need to fill food boxes for people in Tucson and five counties in southern Arizona.
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Hoover Zhu, owner of Old Peking, poses for a portrait inside a closed Old Peking at Old Peking , 2522 E. Speedway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Zhu closed Old Peking on Thursday March 25 due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
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Chef Du Liyuan makes a take out order at Chef Wang, 356 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Chef Wang, a local Chinese restaurant, is open for take out but is considering closing due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
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Before Tuesday’s change in policy, Arizona residents traveling to New York had to quarantine for 14 days. New Jersey and Connecticut also removed their travel restrictions.
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An empty baggage carousel at the Tucson International Airport, on March 26, 2020.
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Wendy Fu, owner of Chef Wang, processes a take out order at Chef Wang, 356 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Chef Wang, a local Chinese restaurant is open for take out but is considering closing due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
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Chairs tilted in on tables at La Cocina located at 201 N. Court Avenue, on March 26, 2020.
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Sun sets over a dark and locked Hi Corbett Stadium, home to the Arizona Wildcats baseball team, as the city begins its second week under COVID19 restrictions, March 26, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Downtown Congress Streets is mostly deserted just before 8 p.m. as the city begins its second week under COVID19 restrictions, March 26, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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The lanterns from the Reid Park Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival sit in a fenced compound after the zoo's closure ended the display weeks early as the city begins its second week under COVID19 restrictions, March 26, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Residents stay spaced while out getting some air and watching the Rillito River flow near Craycroft as the city begins its second week under COVID19 restrictions, March 26, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Jayden Simmons, right, 12, runs football drills with coach Bobby Rodriguez, owner of Jet Sports Training, at Silverlake Park, in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Due to gyms being closed, Rodriguez is taking classes and training outside to parks with little to no equipment.
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A man wearing a mask watches traffic go by while waiting for the bus on N. Alvernon Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
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Gloves, a mask and hand sanitizer sit on the counter at Chef Wang, 356 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Chef Wang, a local Chinese restaurant is open for take out but is considering closing due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
