The impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on businesses has been devastating. According to a CBIZ Main Street Index survey conducted between Aug. 25 and Sept. 15, 2020, 43 percent of those small- to mid-size businesses surveyed reported a significant to severe impact due to Covid-19. The index found the majority (84 percent) of businesses surveyed realized some impact from the pandemic and corresponding economic slowdown. Notably, smaller businesses, those with 1-4 employees, were most severely affected. 

The Natick Center Cultural District (NCCD) reports that there have been several downtown closings related to the pandemic, but that there has also been innovation and success as businesses pivot to respond to the public health crisis.

Responding to a
Tumultuous Year

“This past year has been an unexpectedly tumultuous one for the local business community,” Athena Pandolf, NCCD’s executive director, reported. “Due to Covid early last year, small businesses had to navigate closures, change business protocols, and struggle to financially keep afloat amidst an ever-changing business landscape. It has been quite a difficult year for them. Yet, I have seen such ingenuity, fortitude, and flexibility in the way they conduct business. Many have found innovative solutions to keep their businesses open amidst a pandemic, and some have experienced increased sales during this time.”

“We had four businesses close—The Common Cafe, Natick Cycle, Spirit Bear Yoga, and Java Jims—which was very unfortunate,” Pandolf said. “On the upside, we had five new businesses open, plus two pop-up shops during the month of December. These new stores—Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, The Bagel Table, Baylee Bee, Uni-T (Woman-Owned T-shirt Brand), Elder-Well Adult Day Program, and soon-to-open Cilicia Mediterranean Market—have experienced strong community support and robust sales since they opened.”

To provide merchants with information and assistance for Covid-19 relief grants, NCCD is working with Natick’s Community & Economic Development (CED) Department.

“NCCD strives to keep merchants informed about new guidelines through weekly meetings, providing grant materials and helping to create the resource website, natick.business,” Pandolf said. “We worked with the CED Department to help implement public art into the newly acquired outdoor dining space and traffic calming spaces. We also created merchant lockers for contactless pickups during business and after business hours and an online appointment system.”

NCCD was not able to hold its Holi Festival, its annual fundraiser, Porchfest, and others events because of the state’s restrictions and guidelines. They also canceled is collaborative events, such as Natick Days, Spooktacular, and Holiday Lighting, with the Natick Recreation and Park department. However, NCCD modified and held some events, such as Porchfest @ home, Natick Nights online, and two Natick Nights outside, which include the LOVE01760 & ArtWalk project dedication, Multicultural Day was online and Sidewalk Sales in September and October, Small Business Saturday, and the Holiday Stroll. Pandolf reported, “All were well-attended. We held three art dedication ceremonies for the LOVE01760 Project, Carol Krentzman’s We The People mosaic, and Ginger McEachern’s UnconVENTional Garden painting.”