NASHUA – A number of downtown businesses had their lights turned off and doors locked Wednesday, while others that remained open experienced far fewer patrons passing through.

Tim Cummings, Nashua’s director of economic development, facilitated a conference call Wednesday afternoon with city business owners to push out information, provide avenues for communication and highlight available resources. The call was aimed at starting a dialogue between local businesses in light of restriction brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.

Cummings said city officials are getting a lot of questions, and the situation remains fluid, with information changing – not just daily – but in some cases, even hourly.

Office of Economic Development Program Coordinator Komba Lamina and Cummings are putting together a tracking spreadsheet to keep them organized for any business-related issues, concerns or questions. The Economic Development Office also participates in a twice-a-week national conference call facilitated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that offers updates and explanations on the ramifications of supply chain issues that are a result of the crisis.

“We know that supply chain is a concern for folks, and we are monitoring it,” Cummings said. “Every other day we’re on a conference call to understand what’s going on and, as I’m sure you can understand, the supply chain across the country is in a very dire situation for various issues. …”

The city is looking to institute an emergency management phone number, which will be geared toward addressing any COVID-19 related issues, questions or concerns. This number is not yet available to the public. This also will be a non-emergency line, and Cummings is hopeful it will be instituted in the coming days.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nashua City Hall closed to the public, and city services will be down to essential functions and personnel until April 3. However, Cummings said that is subject to change, and decisions will be made on a weekly basis.

Cummings also highlighted the the unemployment assistance phone number – established by Gov. Chris Sununu on Tuesday – which is 603-271-7700. Typically, the Nashua Public Library would be a resource of information and internet access for local residents, but due to the outbreak, the library is closed until further notice.

With regard to providing construction inspection services for those who may have ongoing projects, Summings asked that businesses reach out to him with details and a timeline for the project. Officials have halted inside inspections, and only exterior inspections will be done moving forward. Cummings said the city will be instituting third-party reviews for those interested.

Regarding financial assistance, Cummings said on Tuesday Sununu provided the Small Business Administration with appropriate documentation to make a declaration so businesses can receive access through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million.

On Wednesday, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza signed New Hampshire’s emergency declaration, which allows small businesses in the state to be eligible for the full suite of emergency resources through the SBA.

Cummings said the city will be doing this type of call again, and the next could occur sometime early next week. The call itself was made utilizing the City’s free conference call number.

RETAIL

Officials are seeing a lot of city retail merchants making their own decision about closing or reducing their hours of operations. This is true beyond Main Street brick and mortar businesses,extending as far south as the Pheasant Lane Mall. The facility’s owner, Simon Property Group, announced all of its malls nationwide – including Pheasant Lane and the Merrimack Premium Outlets could close through March w9.

“The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” CEO and president of Simon Property Group David Simon said in a statement.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

While retailers make adjustments with their business hours, downtown eateries also are making significant adjustments as bars and restaurants have been ordered by the state to reduce their offerings to take-out, delivery and drive-through. On Wednesday, Sununu announced a temporary authorization for take-out or delivery of beer or wine.

The restriction on dining in at bars and restaurants has already negatively impacted businesses, including Main Street Gyro, who on a normal business day would experience a much higher volume of meal orders than what was seen Wednesday.

“I usually have a line out the door, and all my tables full during lunch,” owner Basil Tourlitis said.

Tourlitis described the impact on his business as “absolutely awful,” and has already had to let go some of his employees so that they can collect unemployment. On Monday, Tourlitis started a new employee, who trained for a few hours, and was later let go after Sununu announced his decision to limit services. Tourlitis said three-quarters of his business is dine-in, with people coming during lunch from downtown. Additionally, he had to let two other employees go as well to collect unemployment. Right now, he said it is just his manager, wife and himself working at the restaurant.

He said this is very difficult, because he has two daughters aged 4 and 14, who both have different needs at this time. Aside from concerns within the family, other worries Tourlitis has are closing down, and being able to afford rent and mortgage. While those payments are being forgiven for now, he will eventually have to pay that back, he noted.

“I think if we all stick together we can pull through this,” Tourlitis said.

WineNot Boutique also is feeling the negative impacts of COVID-19, especially since part of the business entails a very social aspect with wine tastings and other social events. For now, the business is trying to avoid any social interactions by cancelling all of its wine sit-down events. However, plans are being thought out to implement either a wine delivery program or to have people pick up their products at the front of the store.

Owner Svetlana Yanushkevich said her biggest concern is how to pay rent and other bills if the location does have to close. Yanushkevich said the boutique could be closed for a few months. She does not believe the whole COVID-19 situation will improve in two weeks, rather it will continue on much longer.

“If it’s two weeks, we will be OK about coronavirus affects, but if WineNot needs to be closed for a few months, it’s a totally different story,” Yanushkevich said.

She already has noticed less people coming into her business, and said that last week, less people were coming in, with only a few visiting this week.

“It’s only the beginning, so we worry that this will be much longer, and we don’t know how to pay our bills,” Yanushkevich said.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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