Mount Carmel Businesses Slowly Reopening

Mount Carmel Businesses Slowly Reopening

It's been months in the making -- but we can finally say --- the entire tri- state is on the road to recovery.

And as 44news reporter marisa patwa explains business owners are ready.

The go ahead to reopen --- a blessing to many mount carmel business owners.?it time to get open.

Wee been closed for two months.

It feels like two years?

As the shut down -- taking a huge economic toll.

"along main street here its been devastating because they have really lived by the restrictions and kept closed the whole time."

One big issue?

Competition from nearby states.

"it's really hard here on mount carmel being a border town that indiana has opened up so much so earlier and we're just behind the eight ball here and we've got to get open."

"but even with the green light are still waiting to reopen."

Friday our are a very busy day.

We have fish tacos today so that like a town favorite.

So we are usually pack- jam packed so we thought that it would be best to open on monday so we have time to clean up the patio and get ready for kind of the new normal here?

Others -- changing the layouts of their stores-- to follow the state's guidelines-- which include-- employees wearing masks-- making sure social distancing is taking place-- and keeping an eye on the number of people in the stores-- the maximum is ten?wee switching the racks around.

Wee trying to give more spacing.

They have to wear masks germex.

Disinfect everything everyone touches.

It going to be interesting but wee prepared?

While city leaders are eager for the local economy to get rolling once again "we all would like to have mount carmel to open up faster than what it currently is and you know that really is up to the businesses but for the progress that we have right now it's very exciting to see us make these small baby steps forward."

Something the reopen mount carmel task force is helping with.

"we're going to have some shirts they say choose mount carmel on them for local merchants and businesses to wear just to really unify our local business districts."

And downtown will be active on wednesday this summer with extra shopping deals from merchants and dining in the park.

Reporting from mount carmel marisa patwa