SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Retail stores across the region can open for curbside service starting Friday provided they meet San Diego County's guidelines, but shopping malls, dine-in restaurants, museums and offices will remain closed until the next phase of California's emergence from the regime of restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stores able to open Friday include bookstores, music stores, jewelers, shoe stores, toy stores, antique dealers, home and furnishings suppliers, sporting goods, clothing stores and florists, but these businesses will have to operate through curbside service or deliveries.
Manufacturing, warehouse and logistics businesses supporting those businesses will also be able to open Friday.
"It feels good, it feels like we're finally getting back to normal," said Hilary Bateman, the owner of Little House of Flowers located at 6090 Friars Rd.
She reopened her flower shop Friday morning, just in time for Mother's Day, one of the busiest days of the year for the floral industry.
"Everybody has come by and is very respectful of what's going on," she said.
All businesses opening as part of "Phase 2" must complete a safe reopening plan, found at www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html, and post it publicly. All employees must be given copies of the plan.
Bateman posted her plan at her shop and met with employees before reopening.
"For our type of shop it really worked out, we are a curbside pickup shop," she said.
Other business owners also allowed to reopen are still concerned about curbside pickup will work for their business.
"It is very confusing and I think there's mixed signals," said Tracy Fulop, the owner Ivy & Squid, a vintage and makers business.
She has two locations inside of group shops in Oceanside and Ocean Beach.
Antique shops were given the green light to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery by county officials Thursday.
"Both of the establishments I'm in have done everything that the state has required," she explained when talking about the health and safety plans required to reopen.
"The curbside is going to work for some people, I just think for this particular business of ours of the antiques, and the vintage, and the makers, it's a little bit tougher."
She is using social media to show what she has available for sale, but says pictures only go so far.
"Something about the touching and feeling of something and holding it in your hand and how you envision seeing it in your home," she said. "People want to be able to pick up a vase and look at the bottom of it or put a piece of jewelry on."
Although Fulop is grateful for the opportunity to try to sell her vintage items by posting pictures online and offering curbside pickup, she's looking forward to the day when she can actually welcome customers back inside.
"I'm super optimistic that things are going to turn around," she said.
"I just wish everyone a really great reintroduction into society and really hope that people really think of the small businesses and when we do reopen."
