CLARENCE, N.Y. (WKBW) — The holiday shopping season starts this week. With shops forced to close earlier this year, businesses, especially small local ones, need the next few weeks to pack a punch financially. Staring down another round of closures, owners of businesses like the BFLO Store are terrified of Erie County entering a red zone.
“If it wasn't for this time,” said Nathan Mroz, talking about the holiday shopping season. “There's no point in being open. I mean we might as well close up shop go off and, you know, file bankruptcy. Because at this point, if we don't stay open, I can't promise another future for next year or the year after that. It would take a lot to recover.”
Mroz says he and his staff are doing all they can to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keeping their doors open. He feels stores like his stores aren't a significant contributor to the spread of the virus. To keep his employees working and two of his five stores open.
Mroz says the BLFO Store will start to sell essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer during a red zone.
“Not only would it help keep some of the employment rolling, but also would help those in need to have a location that they feel more comfortable with,” added Mroz.
Parts of Erie County are still on pace to become a red zone.
