After almost two months of quarantine, on Tuesday Gov. Roy Cooper confirmed plans to begin reopening North Carolina on Friday evening. To ensure safe practices, social distancing will remain common, and there will be requirements for reduced capacity.
“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” Cooper said. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while the virus is circulating.”
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, advises we should follow the three W’s when leaving home: wear a face covering, wash your hands and remain 6 feet away from other shoppers.
Phase 1 removes the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses. Retail businesses will begin to reopen at 50% capacity. To ensure public safety, these businesses will be required to direct customers to stand 6 feet apart and will need to perform frequent cleanings and provide hand sanitizer. These businesses will also need to screen workers and the workers will be required to wear face coverings. Shoppers are encouraged to wear a face covering as well.
During Phase 1, gyms, bars, personal care services and entertainment venues will remain closed and gatherings of more than 10 people are generally still prohibited. Teleworking is encouraged where possible, and restaurants will remain open for drive-thru, takeout and delivery only. Childcare facilities will be open to serve families where parents are working or seeking work.
Phase 1 will be extended as long as required until the data shows that the state is prepared to move to Phase 2. Phase 2 could happen as early as May 22, and it would allow for more businesses to open to the public. Social distancing, handwashing and cloth face coverings would still be recommended. Depending upon the COVID-19 trend, Phase 2 could either mean lifting more restrictions or reinstating previously lifted restrictions.
CharlotteFive talked to some local businesses to hear their reopening plans.
Charlotte stores that will reopen in Phase 1 of NC stay-at-home
Curio Craft & Conjure
3204-C N. Davidson St.
Magic supply shop Curio, Craft and Conjure will reopen on May 9. The shop will have reduced business hours, open from noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio
2120 N. Sharon Amity Road
Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio will begin with a soft reopening on May 14 by appointment only, and then will move into normal business hours. All staff will be wearing masks. Curbside pickup, doorstep delivery and online shopping is all still available, as well.
The House of Lemond
424 E. 36th St.
Men’s boutique The House of Lemond will be open by appointment only.
Main Street Books
126 S. Main St.
Main Street Books will reopen on May 11 for pickup, Davidson-only delivery, and shipping throughout the month of May. You can place orders using the order form or call between Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The staff will be wearing masks and practicing extensive hand-washing, surface cleaning and social distancing practices in the store while taking and fulfilling orders.
Velocity Style
8925 J M Keynes Drive, Unit 3
Urban fashion and sneaker boutique Velocity Style plans to reopen on May 9 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Charlotte retailers that will remain closed for now during coronavirus
704 Shop
1616 Camden Road
The 704 Shop will not be reopening this weekend.
“We’re putting some procedures in place to make sure all of our customers and employees are staying safe before deciding on an official reopening date,” co-owner Scott Wooten said. “We are also working on a curbside pickup option that we hope to launch soon as a way for customers to purchase from us in a more safe and effective manner if they might not feel comfortable coming in the store initially.”
CLT Find
224 E. 7th St.
CLT Find, located inside of the 7th Street Public Market, will not be able to reopen at this time due to the market not being open, but it is planning on a mid-June reopening date.
Feminist Goods Co.
1824 Statesville Ave. Suite 105
Feminist Goods Co. owner Lauren Harbury said that she’ll be reopening and returning to normalcy at Dupp & Swat (her Charlotte home base) as soon as the venue reopens. For now, you can shop the collection online.
“We are unbelievably excited to welcome the Charlotte community back into the store both to shop and attend events, and we will be following all of the guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. The Camp North End #CampFam is coming back strong,” Harbury emailed CharlotteFive.
Girl Tribe Co.
1800 Camden Road
Girl Tribe Co. will not reopen right away. The team is preparing by making sure there’s enough safety equipment (think: hand sanitizer) to keep customers and employees safe.
Co-owner Sarah Baucom said the team is working with retail experts, property managers and other local leaders on the best practices for our store and reopening.
“Of course, we are so excited at the idea of opening again and seeing our customers face to face, but we want to make sure we are fully aware of all of the regulations and of the ways to keep everyone feeling comfortable and implement them to the best of our abilities,” Baucom said. “
“When the time is right for us, we will open and will definitely make our customers aware of that date and our updated policies. We will of course keep our online store rocking, so if customers are not ready to shop in person, they will have that option as well,” Baucom said.
Glory Days Apparel
Glory Days Apparel will soon be opening its brand new brick-and-mortar space — what timing, in the midst of the pandemic. The team is supposed to receive the space at the end of May, with plans to open the store in June.
Park Road Books
4139 Park Road
Park Road Books is going to continue its curbside pickup program in conjunction with shipping books. The team plans to evaluate over the next couple of weeks and make decisions regarding opening the store to the public based on the safety of the employees and customers.