Business in Old Forge

Old Forge is gearing up for the tourists to arrive, but a big part of that will be based on the restrictions the State will impose on reopening.

Gearing up to reopen, but there's an uneasy feeling for the businesses in old forge.

Newschannel 2's kirk tupaj tells us the impact of un-pause.

It's known as the "mud season" in old forge.

The time between when the winter tourists leave, and the spring tourists arrive.

A typically slow time for businesses, but now is the time they start ramping up.

Town of webb tourism director mike farmer talked about how the business climate here is uncertain, and he's concerned about how the tourists will impact one of herkimer county's biggest employers, enchanted forest.

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None sot: mike farmer, town of webb tourism director enchanted forest water safari is huge.

It's the cornerstone of our tourism economy here, both in the numbers that they draw, that's les tax revenue.

Water safari vice president katie wojdyla says the park is working with other water parks across the country on how they will implement new safety procedures, and social distancing policies.

They are planning on opening on june 27th, but are faced with more questions than answers on what will be allowed.

Sot: katie wojdyla, enchanted forest vice president/ director of marketing the biggest challenge will probably be the different way that we're going to have to run our sisses, anwe don't rely know whathat lof things that are different that no one is used to, and figuring out what works best and where that sweet spot is.

Restaurants are hoping that sweet spot can be filled at their tables, but mike farmer tells me the state needs to set some guidelines so the restaurants can implement a proper business plan.

Sot: mike farmer, town of webb tourism director with new parameters, if restaurants are held to 25% capacity, some of them are trying to figure out how that's going to be economically feasible for them to operate.

Frank zammiello owns frankie's taste of old forge.

He's more concerned about the safety of his employees, and his customers, but says he can roll with whatever changes are needed, he just doesn't want the state to leave him in the dark.

Sot: frank zammiello, owner frankie's taste of old forge i'm going to open up and wait and see what happens, and adjust from there.

I could do 20 dinners, or i could 100 dinners.

I truly don't know.

It's all a mystery right now, but we have to keep plugging, i mean i can't just give up.

Sot: kirk tupaj there are many businesses across the state that will struggle with staying open, but it seems the question here in old forge is: what is the government going to allow them to do to keep their businesses going.

In old forge, i'm kirk tupaj reporting for newschannel