By now, each US state has begun the process of lifting coronavirus restrictions and restarting their economies. With their local businesses back open for business, keep reading below to discover some of the most encouraging success stories so far.

Success for Small Businesses in NC

After entering Phase Two of reopening during Memorial Day weekend, small businesses in Burlington, N.C. were glad to report increased traffic and sales from customers. In order to comply with government restrictions, local stores like The Graham Soda Shoppe had to quickly adjust their spaces to accommodate social distancing and even create new outdoor seating, which helped them seat more customers. According to Shoppe owner Jennifer Talley, the new outdoor tables were a big hit with her customers, and her profits “definitely” increased over the weekend.

Business owners also weren’t afraid to call out guests who weren’t abiding by safety restrictions. One restaurant had to turn away guests who tried to surpass the six-person table limit. Still, the vast majority of customers were happy to stick to the necessary rules in order to get back into their community. Check out more success stories from small businesses here: https://www.thetimesnews.com/news/20200527/reopening-weekend-brings-varied-success-to-alamance-county-restaurants

Reopened Historic Trail System Boosts Local Economy

For the last two months, the historic Hatfield-McCoy trail system in West Virginia was closed to visitors to curb the spread of covid-19. The park finally reopened in May, and over Memorial Day weekend, the lodging along the trail completely sold out. Executive Director Jeffrey Lusk estimates up to 2,000 people rode the trail that weekend. Park officials provided masks, gloves and safety advice to each person, who reportedly followed all the necessary restrictions to keep their fellow riders safe.

The reopening helped not only the cabins and resorts along the trail, but it also boosted the sales for small local businesses in the area. Based on guests’ average spending, Lusk believes they brought about $1 million back into the local economy. Find out more details about the park’s successful weekend here: https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Hatfield-McCoy-trail–570788491.html

Bars & Restaurants Get Creative In Reopening

Throughout Louisiana, restaurants got creative to serve their customers during the state’s reopening. To give their business flexibility going forward, one restaurant implemented a short-term Phase One menu that will be adjusted as meat prices and availabilities change. They’ve also debuted a line of premade cocktails to streamline their process for both dine-in and carryout service. In Texas last weekend, guests supported their favorite bars that reopened as part of Phase Two of the state’s plan. Customers were eager to get out to try new menu items at stores that spent their time off developing fresh drinks and food.

Still, restaurants and bars everywhere had to adjust in order to fit continued restrictions and accommodate hesitant customers. A New Orleans food truck adjusted the truck’s hours to extend later in the evening after seeing a decline in lunchtime sales. In Lubbock, another bar altered the layout of their large outdoor patio and created five different hand-sanitizing stations. Find out even more about these restaurants’ creative efforts here: https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/05/28/louisiana-restaurant-bar-businesses-reopening-coronavirus-pandemic/5243161002/ and here: https://www.lubbockonline.com/business/20200527/lubbock-bars-see-success-with-reopening