Sooke businesses are adapting to the B次元官网网址渘ew normB次元官网网址� of service during the coronavirus pandemic.

Major changes in service style have been made by every business thatB次元官网网址檚 remained open since the spread of COVID-19 begun.

Lori Rittaler and Lisa Taylor, owners of Riverside Cannabis and the Castle Liquor Store, said their business has been busy since the pandemic began.

In mid March, Rittaler said, people were coming in more frequently and stocking up so they would have to come less often.

Customers are not allowed to enter the cannabis shop or the liquor store, as both have shifted to a pick-up or delivery only. Customers can come and view a menu outside the stores, or shop online, and can choose to either have products delivered to their door, or pick them up.

The stores adjusted hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. The liquor store is open until 9 p.m. on weekends.

B次元官网网址淲e have been super busy trying to stay ahead of the curve and make sure staff are OK, and everyone is healthy and happy,B次元官网网址� said Taylor, noting the liquor store often has a lineup outside.

B次元官网网址淲e have a big tent set up for people to stand under B次元官网网址� nothing is as usual, but we want to make things as B次元官网网址榮hoppableB次元官网网址� as we can.B次元官网网址�

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Ashley Belcher, owner of BosleyB次元官网网址檚 Pet Store in Sooke, said in the first few weeks of the outbreak, the rapid adjustments were difficult, but staff has B次元官网网址渄one an unbelievable job adapting and taking on every change.B次元官网网址�

Only two people at a time are allowed in the store, which has acrylic glass around the tills, tape dividers on the floor, and the debit machine and counter are sanitized after every customer visit.

Staff members also have the option to wear gloves and masks on shift.

B次元官网网址淚 am grateful for the attitudes of our staff. As a team and as a family, we have been staying very positive,B次元官网网址� Belcher said. B次元官网网址淓ven through all the big changes, there has been a lot of singing and dancing in the store.B次元官网网址�

The store hours were adjusted to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

BosleyB次元官网网址檚 is also doing deliveries from East Sooke to Port Renfrew. The delivery service will continue after the pandemic ends.

B次元官网网址淭he positive thing to come from this is that we are seeing a lot of people who may be would usually shop at Costco, start coming to us,B次元官网网址� Belcher said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice for residents to come in and meet our family, support local, and have that community engagement. We are really sticking together and working through it.B次元官网网址�

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Nel Burger, owner of Sooke Fax and Copy Centre, a long time business owner has never experienced something like this.

Burger is thankful itB次元官网网址檚 tax season B次元官网网址� most of her business now is for bookkeeping and income taxes services

Procedures have changed greatly around the copy centre, as only one customer is allowed in the office at a time, and clients filing their taxes are expected to just drop off their paperwork.

BurgerB次元官网网址檚 continuously sanitizing the office, put up a sneeze shield, and has reduced office hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Two employees were laid off.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think we are feeling the full effect at this time because of the tax season, but the copy centre is seeing a considerable impact,B次元官网网址� said Burger, noting many events are cancelled, so people arenB次元官网网址檛 copying nearly as much.

B次元官网网址淚 do worry about when this is going to end, and how many businesses will not be able to reopen after this is finished.B次元官网网址�

Sooke Fax and Copy Centre has a website highlighting its services, and can do customized orders of office supplies for people. To view the services offered, please go online to .

B次元官网网址淲e are very grateful for our clients for continued support, and people have been thankful we are still open and able to do business,B次元官网网址� Burger said.

B次元官网网址淭his whole thing can really get to you mentally after a while. And maybe you need to have a little pity party, or shed a tear or two B次元官网网址� but we have to pick ourselves up, and we have to keep going.B次元官网网址�

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