With Ontario now in Step 1 of its Roadmap to Reopen, a Quinte West initiative is aiming to make it easier for businesses to serve more customers safely.
Retailers will be allowed to display and sell merchandise on city sidewalks in front of their businesses.
Under Step 1, non-essential retail can serve customers at 15% capacity, but allowing small businesses to have sidewalk sales could make it easier for them to serve more customers.
The city is not charging retailers to do this.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison says the past year has been difficult for everyone, but especially small business and this is just one part of the city’s plan to help these retailers during the reopening process.
Businesses interested in participating in the program can go the City of Quinte West website for rules and regulations.
Shane and Ryan O’Shaughnessy, owners of Red Shark Men’s Wear, located in downtown Trenton, plan on taking advantage of the opportunity.
Shane O’Shaughnessy says, “In a small store like ours, 15% capacity is only two people. This way people can browse our products outside while they wait to get in the store.”
The city is also asking for patience from consumers as some businesses are opening for the first time in several months and suggests allowing more time for shopping trips due to the reduced capacity in stores.
