NEW HAVEN, Conn. — With Covid cases, hospitalizations, and deaths rapidly rising across the nation, to bottom lines of locally owned businesses are headed in the opposite direction, including in New Haven.
Chapel Street is typically teeming with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but with fewer people working or going to school downtown, the businesses are having to pivot.
Raggs for Men and Women has been a Chapel Street fixture for 32 years.
"Last year was my best year in business after 35 years," said Tom Maloney, the owner of Raggs. "This is going to be my worst year in business."
His business down over 50 percent since the onset of the pandemic nine months ago.
"I love to shop here. I love the clothes. I love him," said Susan Hill of New Haven, a loyal Raggs customer. "He always has lovely people. You don’t get pushed and shoved to buy."
The personal touch has always a staple of small, local businesses. But, the foot traffic just isn't here.
"Coming in here on Crown Street with Paula I pointed out to her that I was really surprised how quiet it was when we were parking," said Christopher Warnes of Milford.
A stronger supporter of New Haven restaurants and retail, Warnes understands business struggles with Covid. The pandemic just forced him to close his gym in Seymour for good.
"My foot traffic was 500 to 600 a day and went down to 50," Warnes said. "When I lost 90 percent of my revenue, I had to close."
Closing is certainly not what Yale University Properties wants for its tenants.
"Rent reductions for all of our restaurants and retailers," said David DelVecchio of Yale University Properties, which owns much of the downtown retail space.
A move like that is certainly helping businesses buy time.
"Usually it’s October, November, December," Maloney said as he was raising his arm with each month. "But this year it was (up in) October and then (down in) November and I hope it comes back up for December."
"I’ve had Idiom for 15 years and we’ve been through ebbs and flows but this is definitely the most challenging time," said Kimberly Pedrick, the owner of both Idiom Boutique and Dwell.
To entice more foot traffic, Market New Haven has partnered with 38 retailers on the holiday shopping passport promotion
"If you spend $25 or more at four of the participating retailers, you can enter your passport to win one of three prize packs worth $950," said Bruno Baggetta, of Market New Haven.
For information on the city's Holiday Shopping Passport, click here.