header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


| Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Soledad Plaza
Restaurants are open for take-out business at Soledad Plaza in Canyon Country, May 08, 2020. Dan Watson/The Signal

 

As some businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley are wrapping up their first weekend open in nearly two months, others are reflecting on what has become their new normal.

While Old Town Newhall Farmers Market has remained open, as it was deemed essential, business this past weekend was booming for every vendor.

“It was definitely busier for us, and we had expected as much because of the Mother’s Day weekend,” Market Manager Larry McClements said, adding that the market, which has been open for five years, broke its all-time sales record over the weekend.

Nevertheless, that increase in business also meant an increase in compliance issues with new public health mandates.

Nearly everyone had a face covering, yet there were about two dozen who didn’t, and while market staff were diligent in asking those without them to put them on, even offering free face masks for those who didn’t have them, not everyone was happy, McClements added.

“A couple of people said they wanted to leave instead of put it on, and that’s fine,” he said. “A couple of people had medical issues, and that’s fine.”

What wasn’t fine were the couple of people who decided to argue, McClements added.

“Two people, not to me, decided to curse out … my yogurt lady, who’s over 60 years old, and my operations manager, who happens to be my wife,” he said. “And, both times by the time I found out about it, they were long gone … but I was disgusted at that because it’s not a joke.

“It doesn’t matter what I think, the county Health Department will come into our market, and if people don’t have a face covering on, they’re going to write me the ticket … or the market could be shut down,” McClements added. “I’ve got 25 small businesses and farmers depending on me to make sure we’re in compliance, that’s my job.”

Even so, the majority of market-goers did their part to keep the environment safe, McClements said.

“It was challenging,” he added. “We did have to move around lines at a couple of points and remind some people to space out, but for the most part, everybody was great.”

Frontier Toyota, which had been closed, celebrated its reopening Friday.

“We’ve been completely overprotective and overly compliant since this began,” General Manager Bob Corse said. “We feel in our heart of hearts it was best for our community and best for our staff and our customers to wait.”

During that time, the dealership implemented a number of changes, including posting notices on doors, enhancing cleaning protocols for both the building and the cars, and setting up plexiglass protective shields between employees and customers.

“Not only are (the shields) functional, but they put people’s minds at ease, and that’s a large part of the battle,” Corse said. “Our cleaning crew is non-stop. If anybody stops by a vacant desk, the cleaning crew’s right behind them. It’s almost gotten to be completely routine, although it seems new at the same time.”

Even so, they’re continuing to offer home delivery as requested and home test drives, as they want to make every customer feel comfortable, Corse added.

“And we hope they still want to come in, and when they do, we’ll be ready for that as well,” he said. “We’re proud to be a part of this great community. We’ve been here a long time. And we’re looking forward to always evolving and changing the business to make it easier for our community.”

It appears the changes they’ve implemented have done their job, as the dealership has received great feedback from customers, according to Corse. “They were surprised to see how ahead we were of the system as far as other businesses not complying yet … and they went out of their way to tell us that, and that was nice to hear.”

So far, the dealership has only brought back about a quarter of its sales staff, unsure of what the turnout would be, Corse added.

“There was a point on Saturday morning where I thought maybe we were going to be understaffed, and later that same morning it seemed … we had too many,” he said. “It flip-flopped very quickly, but in the end we had enough people to handle the crowds.”

During its weekend reopening, Sunflorist in Canyon Country, ran out of product for the first time in its 33 years.

“I think the only thing that held us back was the ability to get the product,” store manager Kimo Hernandez said, adding that many of their grower-direct flower deliveries from overseas were halted as planes were focusing primarily on essential deliveries.

Instead, the florists had to rely on local growers, such as those in Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Unlike a typical retail store, flowers are perishable, making the closures what Hernandez called a “double-edged sword,” but it’s the supply that Hernandez believes will drive up the price moving forward.

Still, the florists were able to fill all of the orders that had been placed, but the shop had to turn away some people who wanted to place orders, Hernandez added.

“Our sales actually exceeded last year’s sales,” he said, “so overall it was a good holiday for us, but we (usually) always have product left over.”

While some have been allowed to reopen, others, like Studio Prop Rentals, a full-service movie and television prop house based in Santa Clarita, have yet to find out when things will be allowed to restart.

“We have actually been totally shut down, and I think everyone in the movie industry that I know is in exactly the same boat,” owner Dick Kyker said. “So, it’s a struggle.”

Though he’s heard rumors they may begin allowing filming to restart in July, that would mean he wouldn’t start seeing payments again until August, leaving him to figure out things until then.

“My savings is probably half gone now, but I have a bunch of stocks that are part of my retirement, (and) if it comes down to it, I’ll sell them,” he added.

While he believes he can make it until then, Kyker knows there will be big changes to the industry when things are allowed to restart.

“They’re probably going to have to wear masks on the set and try to do as much social distancing as possible,” he added. “But as far as props, we don’t really get that close together with people, even when we’re filming. We can certainly wear masks and stay apart.”

Through it all, Kyker remains positive. “I’m just wishing everyone out there good luck and that everybody stays safe and healthy.”

Gutierrez Farms

Vilma Gutierrez and her daughter Jonette hold fresh farm direct berries from Gutierrez Farms at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market. Courtesy of market manager Larry McClements.

Little’s Loaves and Boole

Bread boules, baguettes and English muffins for sale by Little’s Loaves and Boole’s Emily Costello and Dustin Boole at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market. Courtesy of market manager Larry McClements.

West Coast Seafood

Ninos Nowell holds a giant wild Spanish prawn sold by West Coast Seafood at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market. Courtesy of market manager Larry McClement.

Bloomies Florist

Owner Henriette Norris prepares Mother’s Day arrangement orders for delivery as Bloomies Florist in Newhall reopens on Friday, May 08, 2020. Dan Watson/The Signal Dan Watson/The Signal

Acton Farms

Trays of micro-greens by Acton Farms at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market. Courtesy of market manager Larry McClements

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
College of the Canyons got back on track during its return to conference play carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
SCVNews.com