Bliss at 919 Central Ave. has closed, the space is now for rent. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Float Los Alamos has closed its doors at 927 Central Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

• ‘Never has there been a greater need to help our small businesses…’  –Ryn Herrmann

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County records show some 14 businesses have closed down in the community since last year.

These businesses include:

• CB FOX on June 25
• Paulina Gwaltney Photography, LLC on April 13
• Richard Hughes’ business on Jan. 9, 2020
• Rio Bravo Enterprises on June 3
• Smart Set Styling on June 16
• Yukon Wildlife Studio, LLC on Jan. 9, 2020
• Lovato Catering on Jan. 24, 2020
• Reel Deal Theater on June 20
• Bliss, official closing date was not specified
• Float Los Alamos closing date was not specified
• Little Saigon closing date was not specified
• Longview Texas Communication dba Spring closing date not specified
• Mountain Air Cleaner closing date not specified
• Beals closing date not specified

Not all businesses closed due to COVID but for many it was the final blow. The effects of the Governor’s public health order and the pandemic have affected businesses in different ways.

County Councilor and co-owner of Automotive Professionals Sean Williams said his business was fortunate to not have to close.

“The state considers auto repair ‘essential’, so we haven’t been forced to close,” he said. “We’ve modified our processes to be COVID-safe, which means we go through a lot of spray disinfectant, disposable gloves and masks, and steering wheel covers. We also have to be careful with staffing: if an employee isn’t feeling well, we insist they stay home, so this has made scheduling jobs a lot harder. Neither Jordan (Durose, Automotive Professional co-owner) nor I have gotten sick at all in the last year, thankfully, which is its own testament to the effectiveness of masks and distancing. Overall though, demand for auto repair is still quite high, and we’ve been very busy throughout the entire pandemic.”

Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann addressed the critical need for community support of local businesses.

“Shopping at local stores is always a good idea, but COVID-19 has made it more important than ever. Never has there been a greater need to help our small businesses,” Herrmann said. “Everyone wants a vibrant community, but if we don’t support our local businesses now, they might not be here in the future. When you shop online through large corporations that money is not reinvested into our local area. As one of our local businesspeople once told me, Amazon does not sponsor our little league teams or robotics leagues.”

Herrmann said that when community members spend money in a local store, they help keep its doors open, help keep the surrounding street active and help create hope for the future business owners in the area.

“Frequenting the small businesses in our county also is an easy way to improve the look, character and individuality of where we live,” she said. “Many of us would like to see our favorite restaurants, chocolatier, hairdressers, co-ops, photographers and thrift shops remain where they are. They add color and uniqueness to Los Alamos.”

Williams also urges the community to go out and support local businesses.

“I think the biggest problem for many other businesses, especially restaurants, is a sort of ‘collective forgetting’ to go out,” he said. “I know I’ve been guilty of this myself. Businesses we lose aren’t likely to come back, and a desolate commercial landscape makes people less willing to open new businesses. The more that fail—as a result of the pandemic, as well as the generally harsh business environment here—the more failure becomes the norm, and fewer people will be willing to risk their livelihood trying to establish new shops and restaurants.”

Executive Director Patrick Sullivan of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation spoke about the business climate in the pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic I’ve been continuously impressed by the resilience and adaptability of our local business community. The creativity and innovation to continue to provide goods and services shown by our local business owners is a true reflection of the culture of innovation in our County,” Sullivan said. “Likewise, the support our residents have shown over the past 9 months is admirable. I’d like to ask now, that we continue to support our local businesses more than ever. Many products that are bought online are available here, locally. Please try to shop locally as much as possible, you’d be surprised how many goods are available here.”

As the economy restarts, large corporations can and will get back on their feet much faster than our local shops, Herrmann said.

“It’s so vital that we help however we can, to keep the spirit of our town alive,” she said. “Supporting small local businesses supports Los Alamos – so please think local and shop local as often as possible.”

Editor’s Note: Carol A. Clark contributed to this story.