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Arizona governor's order hits businesses in Sun Cities

Posted 4/1/20

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order earlier this week has effectively closed certain businesses that are not deemed essential as the state seeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

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Arizona governor's order hits businesses in Sun Cities

Posted

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order earlier this week has effectively closed certain businesses that are not deemed essential as the state seeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The order rings true in Sun City, where Monty’s Furniture — in the southwest corner of 107th and Grand avenues — will be closed all of April. They closed down at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.

“No matter how much we tried to prepare for the potential of being closed down for any period of time, when we saw the notification it felt like a gut punch,” said Dione Karo, who co-owns Monty’s with her husband Wyatt. “A lot of emotion of the unknown surfaced, but our employees have been instrumental in supporting all of our decisions to start cutting back and preparing for what we foresaw as an inevitable closure.”

Ms. Karo said they had a small flow of customers during the first two weeks of the suggested time to practice self-distancing recommendation. Those who came in adhered to keeping personal space and utilized sanitizing suggestions. Monty’s also took precautions to isolate writing utensils and sanitize them, along with counter areas, the credit card pin pad and doors after each use.

They’ve also had to work with consignors to extend the expiration dates on their contracts, especially for those from March 16-June 30.

Ms. Karo added that all 10 employees will not lose their positions and will return as soon as non-essential businesses can reopen.

“For us as a small business we are leaning into our faith now more than ever,” Ms. Karo said. “We want to express to the communities that we serve that we wish them all good health and to stay well, we will all get through this together.”

Under the order, non-essential businesses can continue to operate activities that do not require in-person, on-site transactions and are encouraged to maintain at least minimum basic operations that maintain the value of the business' inventory, preserve the condition of the business' physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and related functions to include mail pickup.

Near 99th Avenue and Bell Road, Sun Valley Quilts is halting its indoor services.

Owner Barbara Connoyer said traffic to the store had been way down than in weeks past, as they had not had more than 10 people inside at a single time.

Those who did come in were very supportive in buying fabrics, especially for masks and hospital gowns, she said.

Another employee said Sun Valley Quilts has always had a strong customer base, and for the last week customers have told employees they consider them essential to their happiness.

But while places like golf courses are deemed essential through Mr. Ducey’s order, a store like Sun Valley Quilts doesn’t appear to be.

However, Ms. Connoyer said people will still be able to order online, though she said people like to come in, see the color of the fabric and feel them before deciding to purchase. Sun Valley Quilts has also provided the opportunity for people to take classes for a variety of skills. Those also have to wait.

Ms. Connoyer plans to be at the store for a limited time during the week, checking emails and ensuring online orders are fulfilled.

“Were going to get through this,” she said. “We have to keep looking for the rainbow at the other end.”

Bradford’s Auction, near 99th Avenue and Greenway Road, has always been an online-only auction and has several auctions ready to go live.

For the time being, owner Brad Denham says they are offering shipping to all local as well as out of town customers for auctions.

“Since we saw this coming, we were being more selective on the type of items we have accepted for consignment,” Mr. Denham said. “Meaning good items will generally have a place/demand. Customers who are at home across the world are looking for alternative ways to shop and we are a great option. Over 70% of our items ship around the world.”

Mr. Denham said they won’t be accepting any consignments or interacting with the public until Mr. Ducey’s order is lifted. Any purchases made prior to the order will be shipped as scheduled since shipping companies are considered essential.

“Most importantly any outstanding consignors have been paid and we have no cash issues so people can bid with confidence,” Mr. Denham said.

Some of the more debated “essential services” in Mr. Ducey’s order are salon businesses. More than 20 states had ordered hair services to be closed during the outbreak.

A Sun City West man believes he developed coronavirus symptoms from a woman who had coughed and sneezed in his general area while he was at a local hair salon. He had taken off his mask in order to get his hair washed. He posted about his experience over Facebook, but took down a post that named the business because it threatened him with a lawsuit.

Arizona officials had said those types of businesses should ensure patrons are distanced while inside. However, there’s a growing concern that those places will enable COVID-19 to spread.

Gov. Doug Ducey appeared to provide clarification on salon businesses during a virtual town hall the night of Thursday, April 2.

And then on Friday, April 3, Mr. Ducey and his office announced  the following services shall cease operations no later than 5 p.m. April 4, as they cannot comply with guidelines required in paragraph 11 of Executive Order 2020-18, directing Arizonans to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected:

  • Barbers 
  • Cosmetology, Hairstyling, Nail Salons and Aesthetic Salons 
  • Tanning salons
  • Tattoo parlors
  • Spas
  • Massage parlors

In addition, the following services should also cease operations by 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4:

  • Amenities at public parks that do not allow for recommended physical distancing or proper hygiene such as basketball courts, splash pads, playgrounds and public restrooms but public parks shall remain open to the greatest extent possible.
  • Communal pools such as those at hotels, condominiums, apartment complexes and parks, however, these should still be maintained under environmental and public health rules and guidelines.
  • Swap meets

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 1,679 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, April 3, with 41 deaths. Maricopa County has 1,050 cases and 17 deaths.

How are your local businesses doing during the COVID-19 outbreak? Email aznews@newszap.com.

Businesses are encouraged to share their status at Independent Newsmedia's "What's Open?" feature.