Local businesses weigh-in on new face mask mandate

Are the tighter COVID-19 restrictions putting a squeeze on businesses affected here in South Mississippi?

It’s business once again and as usual, these few days into the governor’s new mask mandate, according to Butch Simpson, co-owner of Negrotto’s Frame and Art in Gulfport.

This gallery portrait says it all as two fishermen pair up to raise the winch of a sailboat, usually a simply easy process, but those not familiar with it could experience snags if not careful and if they don’t follow guidelines to get the main up smoothly and boat underway.

Just like these unchartered waters as the Coast and local businesses struggle to balance safety measures and restrictions to kill off COVID without cutting into their bottom line. “I think things are starting to pick up. People are starting to adapt to the new normal if you will and realizing it’s not going to go away tomorrow, and we’re going to have to do somethings a little different until we get control of it.”

A few miles east in Biloxi at locally-owned Shawn’s Petit Bois Liquor Store, business is flowing as usual. The governor’s recent order has not held back customers although the demand is high and the supply is running somewhat low. Owner Shawn Guider said, “Sales are still up. Availability of product is not as good as it used to be, and we’re adapting to have a longer ship time. It’s taking 10 to 12 days now.”

As Guider and other liquor stores throughout the state hold on until the ABC can catch up to help businesses meet the demand, no one seems to mind much masking up. “You have to be adaptable. I used to order on Monday. Then I was going to order on Wednesday. Now I have to project ten days ahead. It’s new for everybody. We’re changing and adapting as we go and keeping a positive outlook.”