By China Cassidy With uncertainty on the horizon as to how long the pandemic will affect local businesses, owners are doing the best they can to retain employees and keep operations as close to normal as possible. Following Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s March 19 executive order requiring all food service businesses to alter their operations to minimize the spread of COVID-19, restaurants and lodging business owners explained how it is impacting them and their employees. Most lodging businesses reported that while they have seen a slow down since receiving the executive order, they do still have customers. On-site manager for the Best Western Arizonian Inn, Yogi Bhakta said that they do not plan on changing their operating hours but they have changed some of the ways they conduct other areas of the business to better comply with the guidelines. “We’re no longer serving food in-house (and) we only have to-go bags,” said Bhakta. Bhakta noted that although they have slowed down since the week after Governor Ducey’s order, they have no plans to minimize their personnel. “We’re not letting go of any employees,” stated Bhakta. Mona Hoeller, who owns the Globetrotter Inn reported that business is slow. She said that because they are family owned and operated they depend on the motel for income, but do not have to contemplate laying anyone off if the slow down caused by the COVID-19 restrictions persist. Patsy Thompson, who handles registration at the OK RV Park, reported that business remains steady despite the executive order. “We’ve still had people coming in. We’ve had cancellations but also have had people calling to make reservations,” said Thompson. She reported that there had been no changes to operations, but they are promoting social distancing. Kim Gallegos, owner of Joe & Aggies Café, also reported that things are well. “We’re doing good. It slowed down a little but it’s hard to tell if it’s because of the coronavirus because it’s our slow time of the month,” said Gallegos. She said they, like a few other businesses in town, are taking this as an opportunity to make a few changes in their day-to-day operations but are still working out the details and will continue to be open regular hours. Mr. Maestas Restaurant employee Dena Eisele said that they have slowed down but that they are still consistently getting orders, “We’re a little slow, but we still have orders coming in,” said Eisele. Although they did have to close the dining area and eventually began prohibiting any non-employee entrance into the restaurant, they haven’t made any drastic changes. “We did have take-out service but decided to do curbside only. They can order and we’ll take it out to the parking lot for them,” explained Eisele. Although the hotel industry in Holbrook will likely feel the impact of the pandemic due to the lack of travel this season, local eateries will hopefully be able to continue to operate as usual with the patronage of local residents who may want a break from a lot of home cooking as this unprecedented event continues.
