THUNDER BAY – Customers were few and far between for Katrina O’Neill on Thursday morning.
But that’s OK, said the owner of Sew Flippin’ Creations.
In defiance of provincial stay-at-home orders, which were supposed to end on Thursday before being extended for another two weeks, O’Neill decided to open her County Fair Plaza store for business, inviting customers in for the first time in months.
The goal, however, wasn’t to fill her store with eager customers, of which she had two by early afternoon. She was also paid a visit by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, which ordered her to close to in-store shopping.
O'Neill said she would comply, noting she acted in protest to spark a discussion, which she's already received, both positive and negative.
The entrepreneur said she’s faced some social media backlash since first going public last week were her plan to reopen on May 20.
“There are people that are not happy and I understand that. I am not trying to give a forum to every rhetoric that’s out there. I am just trying to raise the discussion,” she said.
“Businesses need the support of the community and not necessarily to show up in a protest, but we’re asking them to contact their representatives and contact the premier and say what’s happening to businesses is unfair.
Much of the response has been supportive, she added, both from the general public and other entrepreneurs faced with similar closure restrictions.
“I have had response from some customers who would be interested in coming in today, so we’ll see if they show up. I’ve had a lot of support from other businesses, who have contacted me saying that’s great, thank you for doing this – especially the hair salons and the service industry and gyms, which have been closed the longest,” O’Neill said.
The economy can’t afford to hang on much longer, she added.
“Businesses are in a real crisis. This has been over a year and this lockdown has been going on for this entire year. It started Dec. 26 and some businesses haven’t been able to be open. Not all businesses can be curbside. Not all businesses are the same. Not all business owners are the same,” O’Neill said.
“Some have other partners who can support them financially, some don’t. We’re just asking to be respected and listened to.”
