Ima Thibodeaux, manager of Gibson’s in Five Points
When business started to slow down mid- March as the public became aware of the dangers of the COVID-19 virus, Steve Cook, owner of Saluda’s Restaurant and president of the Five Points Association, began to work with his staff and management to make his business safe for customers and employees. Cook said when Governor McMaster issued the order to close all nonessential businesses, he was forced to lay off employees. Many of them could access unemployment benefits during that time but have now all been rehired by Cook to work at Saluda’s Restaurant under new and different circumstances.
Cook says as a business owner and particularly in the restaurant business adapting to change is a daily occurrence. However, “everything came to a screeching halt” with the Governor’s order to close nonessential businesses. Like many local restaurants, Saluda’s pivoted to continue to serve customers through take-out orders only. Cook said this was not financially feasible for the long term. Cook said he and his management began to plan to reopen the first day they were forced to close their doors due to COVID-19. Serving takeout food kept some revenue stream coming, however, he could not keep his staff and he began to plan for the day he could reopen and rehire his employees.
Good for the Sole in Five Points
Saluda’s Restaurant is now working at 50 percent capacity. Reservations are required for all customers, and the business is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. He is taking care to observe the 11 p.m. Columbia city curfew. Cook says he has more staff to serve fewer people but this allows them to meet the needs of customers during this pandemic. It is a comfortable and sustainable place for the restaurant financially.
As president of the Five Points Association, Cook asks the public to support local, small businesses at this time. He says the small business community is uniquely suited to take care of customers and employees on an individual level to keep them safe, better than a large company where there are crowds of people and employees interacting inside the business. Small business owners can provide personal service to protect customers and are more vulnerable to loss of business in times of economic hardship.
Work continues on a future City of Columbia parking lot near the Five Points mural.
Kelly Tabor, owner of Good for the Sole shoes, says when he was forced to close his retail shoe store, he had to lay off two employees. However, he has already rehired both. Tabor says, “Five Points is not where it was but things are getting better.”
As with all business in Five Points, the City of Columbia Fire Marshall visited Tabor’s store to measure the square footage and to make an official decision on the maximum number of people allowed inside the store at one time. This rule is mandatory and enforceable. A sign in the store reads it is “dangerous and unlawful” to have more than the assigned number of people allowed in the store at one time. Every business in Five Points should have signage displayed in the front window for the public to read before entering.
Tabor says wearing masks is not mandated but recommended. He does not wear a mask at all times. He does ask each customer if they would be more comfortable if he wore a mask, and if they request it, he will wear one. Also, Tabor is cleaning his merchandise and shelves every two hours the store is open.
Tabor says before the COVID-19 pandemic, Five Points was in the midst of change and growth. His business is next to the former Exxon Gas Station lot currently being leveled by the City of Columbia to build a parking lot. The work on leveling the space continues and adding new parking is just one of the city’s goals in the development of the Five Points area.
Tzima Brown, owner of Sunrise Artisan Bath and Body on the other end of Saluda Avenue in Five Points, says her business was allowed to remain open because it produces and sells soap. She said she stayed open longer than the other retail stores in Five Points and demand for her product has increased. Brown also has an active website. Individuals can place orders for soap and pick up the orders curbside. Brown’s small business has benefited from the COVID- 19 pandemic, and she said she does what she can to support her neighbors in Five Points during this difficult time.
Ima Thibodeaux, manager of Gibson’s, said her business was greatly affected by the COVID-19 shutdown because of the cancellation of the Five Points St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, graduations, Mother’s Day, and Easter. Springtime is an important season for gift stores. She said she has a large group of employees. Fortunately they are all in retirement from previous work and work for her part-time, so letting them go temporarily was not as hard. She can now rehire her employees. She is restricted by the City of Columbia Fire Marshall to have no more than five people in her store at one time. Thibodeaux wears a mask at all times and sanitizes and cleans her store regularly. She is hoping to recover by the Christmas season this year. Gibson’s new hours are 12 to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
For information on the Five Points Association, visit www.fivepointscolumbia.com.
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