GREATER WESTFIELD-For small business owners, the current pandemic has unleashed a wide range of creative ideas to keep customers engaged – all the while maintaining social distancing in light of the COVID-19 virus.
Mostly from social media platforms, and in particular, community forums on Facebook, local entrepreneurs have been sharing their messages of gratitude about the community’s ongoing support, and ways they are still offering products and services – at a distance.
“We can’t thank you all enough for how supportive you have been so far through this, we are doing our best to keep the creative and fun flavors coming,” said Lisa Pac, owner of the Skyline Beer Company in Westfield with Dan Osella and Dana Bishop.
Pac said one of the new offerings just mentioned on Facebook are pizza kits for $10. The kit includes 2 1/2 pounds of dough, 8 ounces of sauce, 8 ounces of mozzarella, pepperoni and grated parmesan.
“We sold out our first day offering the pizza kits and will continue to offer them,” said Pac, adding “get creative with other toppings from your fridge.”
Pizza kits – a new offering at the Skyline Beer Company in Westfield – are a hit with families. (LISA PAC PHOTO)
Pac noted they have received “awesome feedback and photos” from residents having fun in the kitchen together while baking.
“We’ve had a lot of ideas for the business and at this time we want to bring the atmosphere of Skyline – happy and spirited – to people’s homes through our food offerings,” said Pac.
Skyline also has a new online ordering system in place, and a take-out window so no one enters the building. In addition, a new flatbread, Meatball Gorgonzola, and the return of Mr. Woo (crab rangoon base, cheddar, soy-glazed bacon and won ton chips), are now available.
“We have also gotten excellent feedback on the Lady Slipper, a New England style pale ale,” said Pac, noting a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pink Boots Society which supports women in the brewing industry.
Wine and cider options are also available through the take-out window.
“We are really overwhelmed by the support of everyone and we are very thankful,” said Pac.
For persons who are musically inclined, Whip City Music, also in Westfield, is offering phone orders and curbside service for musical instruments, supplies, accessories and repairs.
Whip City Music in Westfield has shortened its business hours from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. during the pandemic, however, they offer phone orders and curbside service. (DOUG COTTON PHOTO)
“Online lessons are also becoming available through some of our teachers,” said Doug Cotton, owner. “We have guitar teachers, a woodwinds teacher for flute, clarinet and saxophone, and a voice teacher.”
“As times goes on, we hope to offer online piano lessons,” added Cotton, noting the instructors will be using a variety of online methods from Skype and Zoom to FaceTime.
“Around the time that schools closed and the state decided to close businesses, there was a huge drop off in business traffic,” said Cotton. “We are hoping that people who may want to learn how to play an instrument will take this down time to consider purchasing one. Or, if you need basic equipment like a broken string, we can accommodate all of your requests.”
As we begin to approach the traditional wedding season, photographer Brian Hale, owner of HaleChannel in Westfield, has also had to adjust to a changing business climate.
“Being a self-employed gig worker in the events industry has been really tough since the pandemic made it to the United States,” said Hale. “Nearly all of my income is from weddings and all of the spring 2020 weddings have canceled or postponed. I always look forward to the financial relief that spring brings to me after a long winter with very few weddings. This year it seems that the wedding season never opened for my business and others in the wedding industry.”
Photographer Brian Hale of Westfield, owner of HaleChannel, is now offering family home movie video editing. (HALECHANNEL PHOTO)
Hale said as he continues to reinvent his business, he has added family home movie video editing to his extensive service line.
“Anyone with years of video clips piling up on their cell phone or computer can now easily have them combined into an exciting and polished home movie that will bring joy in this dreary spring,” said Hale. “I’ve set up a webpage where anyone can select the desired length of their finished movie, then drag and drop their videos into the uploader. It doesn’t matter how many videos you’ve accumulated – we’ll search through them all and pull out the best moments to build your home movie.”
Hale added that the service provides color correction of footage and licensed music to fit one’s movie.
“I currently have a team of six video editors eager and ready to work and we will have your home movie completed within 14 days,” said Hale. “With Mother’s Day coming and people not able to go out to shop for gifts, I think it’s a great idea for a gift you can give while still practicing social distancing and not having to worry about shipping delays.”
Another service Hale has begun offering is a video recording of funeral services.
“With the limits on gatherings and travel bans across the country, many people will be unable to attend funerals of loved ones during this pandemic,” said Hale. “A video of memorial services shared via private link online would help many people through the grieving process. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke is the first business to offer my video services.”
Hale noted that as the markets change, demand for products and services are constantly shifting.
“There is always a way to stay successful as an entrepreneur,” said Hale. “You just need to try harder than everyone else and keep throwing darts at the dartboard.”
For area residents who are looking for “one-stop shopping,” Sergio Bonavita, owner of the Westfield River Brewing Company in Southwick, said his team can answer the call.
The brewery’s kitchen is open Wednesday through Sunday for take-out business, and the distillery offers vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon to go.
The Westfield River Brewing Company in Southwick offers 12 styles of beer canned from its brewery, as well as vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon from its distillery. Craft cocktails to go is a new offering. (SERGIO BONAVITA PHOTO)
“We also are now offering craft cocktails to go,” said Bonavita. “Customers can buy the mixers to their fav cocktails here and then mix in the alcohol at home. We also have 12 styles of beer canned from our brewery.”
Bonavita said the staff members have been humbled by the community’s support during the pandemic.
“It is a blessing to have so many customers support us, especially from a morale standpoint,” said Bonavita. “Customers can call ahead from our menu online or text us and we will bring their order curbside. Our business is set up as half restaurant and half liquor store. Customers who wish to browse the liquor store have that option.”
“We are truly a one-stop shop for customers looking to have a ‘night out’ at home,” said Bonavita.
Lindsay Hale, owner of Firefly Fields Farm in Southwick, said she is hopeful she will be able to resume her goat yoga classes and mobile petting zoos in the coming weeks.
“Last year was phenomenal for goat yoga classes,” said Hale, adding that area residents are already asking when the field yoga classes might resume.
Lindsay Hale of Southwick, owner of Firefly Fields Farm, supplements her income selling goats milk soaps, lotions and shampoos. (LINDSAY HALE PHOTO)
In past years, Hale has also been successful offering petting zoos featuring her goats, sheep, mini pigs, a mini horse, chickens and bunnies.
“I haven’t had to cancel the zoos yet since the first one is scheduled in June,” said Hale, adding that she did have to cancel some Easter photo shoots that would have featured bunnies and goats.
So as Hale awaits the “flattening of the curve” of the pandemic, she has also been resourceful by selling her handcrafted all-natural goats milk soaps, lotions and shampoos on her website. She will also be selling her products every other week at the Westfield Farmers’ Market which is still scheduled to open in late May.
“I can mail out your order or you can pick it up at the farm,” said Hale, adding “pure goats milk contains lactic acid that is helpful in cleansing and eliminating skin impurities.”
Hale added that goats milk contains vitamins A, C, B1, B6, D and E.
“Goats milk also contains many minerals such as iron, copper, selenium and zinc that are all needed by the body to keep itself healthy,” said Hale. “It can also help prevent the aging process with its powerful antioxidants by delaying the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, and dark circles.”
Hale said the community “has been amazing” and “super supportive” of her business offerings over time and she is hopeful that soon she will be able to “get back to normal” with her classes and zoo outings.
“In a small town everyone knows everyone and they are here to support each other,” she said. “I can’t wait to have a big farm party to celebrate and say thank you.”
