Does anybody even remember what it feels like to walk into a crowded restaurant, sit down at a public table, and eat food prepared by a stranger without first sanitizing the seat? It seems like a lifetime ago when people could last buy clothes in a store and not worry about whether someone had breathed within six feet of them. The everyday normalcy of these activities is no longer in existence, and local businesses are paying the price.

The once foreign practices of wearing masks to work and prohibiting customers from entering stores are now commonplace to many. In order to remain open while also maintaining social distancing regulations, many stores and restaurants are offering curbside pickup. Customers place their orders online or over the phone, then drive over to the store, and an employee will bring it out to their car. Shopping has never been so simple yet challenging at the same time.

Heavenly Coffee, one of the newer additions to Lynbrook’s coffee shop realm, closed for three weeks amidst the peak of the pandemic but is now reopened with curbside pickup. Heavenly Coffee shared that Lynbrook’s coffee-lovers are unabatedly ordering iced coffees and cappuccinos, even during a global pandemic. No surprise there!

The shop’s owner, Jonathan Vitale, commented, “We are very thankful for our loyal customers for continuing to support us. As always, we place the health and safety of our customers and employees as a top priority. We look forward to going back to normality once this is over.”

Lynbrook Bagels is another Lynbrook restaurant favorite; it is located conveniently on Atlantic Avenue, allowing hundreds of LHS students to go to the restaurant for lunch every day while school is in session. It is a family-owned business, managed by brother and sister Michael Clancy and Kaitlyn Gateson.

The bagel store has taken a different approach to business during the pandemic, now only operating on weekends. They have also created a website (www.lynbrookbagelsexpress.com), enabling customers to order bagels any day of the week and receive their orders during the weekend. The store does curbside pickup as well.

Production manager Clancy shared, “I don’t think things are going back to normal for us for a long time. We’re planning to open soon but I’m not rushing — I’ve been here 26 years, and I am not willing to jeopardize the health of my staff or my very loyal customers if I can’t do so in a safe manner.”

Clancy additionally commented that his customers are increasingly less resistant to the “new normal” and are beginning to adapt to the store’s new limitations. He said, “We really miss everyone. We have a very loyal base of daily and weekly customers that really feel like family. I see a lot of my customers more than I see some members of my family, and we all live in the same town!”

La Benes, a women’s clothing store in Malverne, has been going through a similar experience during the pandemic. The store closed for a few weeks in the beginning of the nationwide lockdown but is beginning to employ curbside pickup and delivery. La Benes is also scheduling appointments for one customer at a time to enter the store and shop in order to minimize the amount of people in one space. Of course, all customers are required to wear a mask while inside of the store, as well as remain at least six feet apart from any employees.

One unique challenge that retailers are facing is that the clothing they bought before the pandemic is now out of style. Because the lockdown and quarantine has lasted several months, the fashion world has already passed multiple style “seasons.” Thus, the clothing that is currently in stores is out of style and behind the new wave of fashion trends, meaning a drop in customer interest.

La Benes’ owner Anita Shmelzinger shared, “The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed me to reinvent myself and my previous business model.” The store has expanded its use of social media platforms such as Instagram in order to market and advertise. Shmelzinger is also now providing her personal cell phone number, making her available to customers 24/7.

Fortunately, business owners seem to be optimistic about the future of shopping and dining. Vitale, Clancy, and Shmelzinger have said that customers are still eager to shop and continue to reach out about orders. Shmelzinger believes that her store will be open and running as per usual by mid-June.

The comfort, respect, and safety of customers and employees are of business’ utmost concern. Until these can be guaranteed with certainty, and until New York Governor Andrew Cuomo condones all stores to open, it is unclear when the day will come that people can walk into a coffee shop or clothing store without fear of contracting a virus.