By DAN KLEIN
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s order to “stay at home” began Wednesday to try to limit the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor also ordered thousands of Indiana businesses deemed “nonessential” to be closed for the next two weeks.
Stores considered “essential” under his order are allowed to stay open, often because they are connected to the medical field, food, transportation or communications. Everything else must shut down through April 7. That includes Hot Diggity Dog Grooming in Carmel.
“I thought I accounted for everything, but this…,” said Manager Chris Baecher. “Hopefully we’ll be able to ride it through.”
Cleaning at the dog grooming business has been on overdrive and only one customer at a time was allowed inside for social distancing, but it wasn’t enough. The closing of “nonessential” businesses did not surprise Baecher because of other states making the same move.
“We held out as long as we could,” Baecher said.
Several owners of businesses deemed “nonessential” said they don’t like it. They are scared of what closing will do to their bottom line – missing income, rent, other bills – but also seem to think this is the right move for Hoosiers.
Hot Diggity Dog opened five years ago but only moved to a more expensive space 12 weeks ago. “As a new business, this could really put a hurt on us, but it has to be done.”
Baecher said even though he didn’t vote for the governor, he thinks Holcomb has reacted correctly to the coronavirus and worries what would happen if the state continued with business as usual.
“If we don’t cooperate with this, we’re just looking at more trouble.”
Around the corner at Salon Lofts, hair stylist Sheryl Sell was working nonstop Tuesday before the clock struck midnight Tuesday. Last week, clients hoped she was still working, then started cancelling. Many scheduled for next week came in Tuesday.
“I have a full 12-hour day now for people saying, ‘Yes please, yes please, yes please’ because I think they’re recognizing ‘If I don’t do it now, who knows when I’ll be able to,’” Sell said.
She said she couldn’t have decided herself to close but is thankful the governor took the decision out of her hands. “In my industry, I feel like I completely understand why it’s necessary,” she said.
Still, the lost income is no small thing.
“It’s a huge deal but with faith, optimism and a little humor, I got to believe we’ll get through it,” Sell said.
Thanks to no small part to the generosity of her clients who have been tipping large and even paying her for missed appointments.
“I’ve had a couple really, really big tips that really touches my heart,” Sell said with tears coming to her eyes. “Yes, I’m an emotional person,” she adds with a laugh.
It’s the same story at Hot Diggity Dog, dealing with a new reality.
“We used to hand out dog treats to everybody,” Baecher said, pointing to a tin. “Now we hand out sanitizer.”
The mandatory stay-at-home order lifts at 11:59 p.m. April 6, although it could be extended if the governor believes it is warranted.