By Christin Evans, HANC Board Member
Yes! Haight Street is open for business. With all the boarded up windows, you may be wondering what's happening with Haight Ashbury's local businesses. Very suddenly (less than 24 hours!), most Haight street businesses received word that we would need to shutter our businesses at least until April 7th and quite possibly longer. Essential businesses including Gus' Haight Street Market and Roberts Hardware would remain open but most retailers were ordered to close by Mayor Breed's emergency executive order in response to the Covid-19 health crisis. Restaurants were told they could offer take out and delivery services but many saw their sales from foot traffic drop ~70%.
A broken window can cost upwards of $5,000 to replace (most windows are custom sized) and many merchants made quick decisions to place plywood up for protection from graffiti etc. There was one successful break-in and a couple of other attempted break-ins reported along the street, which prompted several business owners to take the precautionary measure of placing plywood up along the storefronts.
But that doesn't mean that all those businesses have closed. Many of our local shops are actually open and selling online. Mendel's and Booksmith are both offering curbside pickup for purchases made through their websites. All businesses I've spoken with are planning to re-open as soon as the health order is lifted. In the meantime, we are aiding one another through the Merchant’s Association email listserve with information sharing about local, state and federal relief programs to ensure we can cover rent, utilities and assist our employees. The tone is optimistic that we will all make it through. And there is immense gratitude to all the neighbors who have supported us by continuing to shop with us. Many customers have bought gift certificates to use when all our doors do reopen. To get the latest on what local businesses are doing during the Shelter in Place period, please visit ShopHaight.com.