Masks are now mandated indoors in Michigan. That means tourists and locals alike are seeing a new face (in more ways than one!) when they enter area shops. Here’s a look at how businesses are handling the changes with care, creativity and kindness.
Stacy Sheren, General Manager and Buyer, Bahle’s, Suttons Bay
Left: Bahle’s used vintage windows instead of plexiglass to add a (creative, eye-catching!) layer of protection for customers and staff. From left to right: Rich Bahle, April Gilbert, Chris Hufford and Chris Bahle.
“Yes, we are requiring at entrance and while in store. We have some for sale, and we also have free ones. Our store is large, so there is a lot of space for people to stay safely apart
Our employees are wearing masks, as well as disinfecting and sanitizing the following:
○ Dressing rooms after each person
○ High-touch surfaces
○ Hangers before they go back in rotation
○ Spraying hydrogen peroxide on all tried-on clothing, then the clothes are steamed and stay in an area overnight to be restock the next day.
○ Pens and other equipment
Also, our employees are generally being wonderful!
We have reduced our hours to 11am-5pm, with appointments available 10-11 am and 5-6 pm. We also offer gloves and hand sanitizer at the front door. Plus, we have put in sneeze guards, but they are not plexiglass.... they are vintage windows!
I would say the majority of customers are not phased nor surprised with the mandate. Of course there are comments, as it is a totally new way of behaving, but for the most part people are complying and those who choose not to, leave. Regardless we wish them a good day and thank them for coming in.”
Katy Wiesen, Owner, Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District, Glen Arbor
Right: The new socially distanced sign-in being manned by Morgan Taylor at Crystal River Outfitters.
“Masks are required in all of our stores, plus when paddlers ride in our shuttle vehicles to the head of the Crystal River. We do have some to give out for those who may forget them. Also, we have some cute ones for sale at Coastal.
You'll also notice that we have new outdoor sign-up stations at both The Cyclery and Crystal River Outfitters (see photo). We have plexiglass screens at all cash registers, as well as plastic dividers in our vans to separate the drivers from the paddlers. We are no longer offering wine tasting inside M22. You may enjoy wine flights or large pours of wine at the M22 Wine Patio.
Additionally, we fog our buildings every morning before opening, and each van is sanitized between groups. Clothing that has been tried on, but not purchased, goes into ‘quarantine’ for 24 hours and is steamed before being put back on the sales floor.
All employees are required to: do a health screening upon signing in at work, take their temperatures before coming to work, wear masks at work, sanitize high-contact surfaces every hour and after each van load of customers. Employees do not share cash registers and must sanitize pens between customers. We ask all employees to practice social distancing both at work and outside of work.
Visitors are responding very well! It has been almost a non-issue and most customers are incredibly appreciative of all we are doing to keep them safe. It is a short season already and we need to keep it going as long as possible!”
https://crystalriveroutfitters.com
Lizzie Lambert, Owner, Haystacks, Suttons Bay and Leland
Left: The fun and fresh Scarlet Sage Printed Cotton Mask available online and in stores at Haystacks.
“Yes, we are requiring masks and our store is laid out and racks spaced for social distancing We have one entrance at each store to regulate flow. All employees are required to wear masks. We also have hand sanitizers throughout store.
We are happy that most of our visitors are very friendly, non-combative and compliant.”
Amy Peterson, Owner, The Front Porch, Suttons Bay
Right: Lillie follows the mask mandate - and loves the new Squish-a-Boos at The Front Porch.
“Yes, we are requiring masks and we have adjusted our store layout. Employees wear mask, plus we have four sanitation stations, plus at the register.
I would say 99% of our customers are grateful and really glad we’re open.”
https://www.frontporchsuttonsbay.com
Sue Burns, owner/creator, Baabaazuzu, Lake Leelanau
Left: Sweater Mittens from Baabaazuzu – maybe the perfect glove for this crazy summer!
“Up until the recent mandate for masks to be worn in all public places, we were allowing our customers to proceed as they felt comfortable - with or without a mask. We are a remote destination and mostly have single buying groups. We wear a mask while working with our customers for their safety, as well as for any protection it may provide us.
We have posted social distance signage on our entry door, as well as around our showroom. We have hand sanitizer readily available at our counter and have implemented a ‘no signature required’ on our electronic device for purchases.
We have not had to ask anyone to comply with the mask wearing since the mandate. Our customers seem to be respectfully armed with their own masks. I am happy to say that it has not been a difficult action to be enforced.”
On July 10, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order which states that individuals are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space. It also requires the use of face coverings in crowded outdoor spaces. The order also requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuses to wear a face covering, with limited exceptions.
