Gloria Herriott said business at Hollyhocks Gift Shop has been booming in just the last few days.
The change, she said, coincides with her ending the mask-wearing requirements in the gift store she owns on Fifth Street in Columbus.
“I’ve noticed a lot more people are relaxed, and I have seen an increase in our business because people are not afraid,” Herriott said. “This is the next step for us to go back to normal.”
Columbus City Council lifted its citywide mask mandate Tuesday, giving businesses the option to still enforce their own mask-wearing policies.
While many, like Herriott, are choosing not to require face coverings anymore, some stores and restaurants are still urging their customers to wear masks inside. Main Street Columbus Director Barbara Bigelow said many business owners and managers are pleased they can now choose.
“Our businesses appreciate the fact that they can now make their own decision about wearing a mask in their store,” Bigelow said. “Some of them will require a mask, but some of them will not.”
Because of the lifted mandate, businesses have seen an increase in revenue just over the past few days, Bigelow said. She believes residents and shoppers are more inclined to go places now that they are not required to wear masks in the city anymore.
Herriott said if a customer comes inside wearing a mask, she will then put hers on as well to make the customer more comfortable.
Emily Liner, owner of Friendly City Books on Fifth Street in Columbus, wants employees and customers to continue wearing masks inside her store. Due to limited space, she said she believes it is the best decision for the time being, and for the most part, customers have been complying with the store’s requirement.
“We’re going to continue to have masks in the store at this time because our store is on the smaller side,” Liner said. “While we usually have the ability to social distance, it will help right now to keep the masks. We are looking forward to when this will all be behind us, and things are back to normal.”
Bigelow said she hopes the lifted mandate will provide patrons the opportunity to freely go more places.
“My hope here on Main Street is that people will just continue to support our local downtown businesses,” Bigelow said.
While Columbus voted to lift its mandate, Starkville’s ordinance is still in place.
Mayor Lynn Spruill confirmed to The Dispatch that the board of aldermen will discuss the status of the ordinance at the April 18 board meeting. She said she expects the board to lift the mandate on April 30, in concert with Mississippi State University’s mandate.
Greater Starkville Development Partnership Director of Tourism Paige Hunt said once Starkville lifts its ordinance, some businesses will want to keep masks, while others will not. She said she cannot speak for all businesses in the community but believes the city’s stores and restaurants have been proactive in taking proper safety measures and will still be cautious even when Starkville decides to lift the mandate.
“We want to be able to promote our businesses,” Hunt said. “We know they are doing everything they can to keep patrons safe as they continue to be creatively open for everyone.”
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