Main street businesses in small towns suffering mightily during COVID-19 pandemic

BEAVER CO., Pa. — “Main Streets” are at the heart of every small town, and the coronavirus pandemic has strained that part of the community like few other crises.

Up and down 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls, the sidewalks are now essentially empty. Even before the pandemic, there wasn’t a lot of foot traffic.

If you want to receive local news alerts, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.

But now, stores lining the main drag are taking huge hits.

“Most of my customers (are) from off the street. I get a lot of foot traffic and probably 75% of my customers come because they walk by,” said Terrie Bailey, owner of Fashion Revival.

With fewer people walking by her shop, Bailey said sales have dropped to nearly half. Now, she and other business owners are banding together to stay afloat.

Renee Suhr, who owns Stray Cat Studio, closed her small store because of social distancing challenges. However, she adapted, pivoting her business and started to sell items online from inside her store.

Have questions about the spread of the coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

Fortunately, her pottery shop is still open to members and is now trying to collaborate with other businesses in the area.

“When we all work together and help to build each other up, that’s where we are going to see these other businesses struggling right now be able to pull through and make it,” said Alison Hutchins, owner of Hutch & Home.

Hutchins also does a lot of interior design. Her business has been booming, with a lot of families renovating their homes.

She’s hoping to use her success to help fellow businesses.

PIAA board disagrees with Gov. Wolf’s recommendation, will work together toward solution for high school sports

Cox Media Group