By Tracy Ouellette
Staff Writer
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging through the country and cases rising rapidly in the Midwest, area shops are finding new ways to attract customers and keep them safe.
Karin Bennette, owner of Cornerstone Shop and Gallery in Lake Geneva, said the biggest advantage she has is the size of her store.
“Right from the get-go we required masks, added extra cleaning and began limiting the number of people who come into the store,” she said. “For us, with 10,000 square feet, it’s not too much of a challenge, but some of the smaller stores don’t have that.”
For other novelty shop owners, like Christopher Springer, who owns Allison Wonderland with locations in Burlington and Lake Geneva, adding services such as an online store was necessary.
“We’ve had less traffic through the stores,” he said. “June seemed busier because that was right after the lockdown and everyone was chomping at the bit to get out. But after the country saw a surge, I think that became a deterrent to a lot of grandparents, especially those at higher risk. Grandparents are who’s kept us in business all these years.”
Springer added they are willing to work with customers so they feel safe, even if that means opening the store for just them to shop.
“We’ll do anything they want,” he said. “They can call and we can arrange something if they will feel more comfortable shopping alone.”
Allison Wonderland is a novelty toy store, which carries items not usually found in big box stores, Springer said.
“We carry more unique things,” he said. “There aren’t many stores like us left even before this happened. Foot traffic is important to our store because sometimes you don’t even know something exists until you see it.”
Bennette said her Lake Geneva shop, which features gifts, apparel, accessories, home items, baby items and more, has seen a steady flow of customers over the summer, but mainly visitor traffic.
“Luckily, we’ve started now to see some of our regulars come back now that the tourist crowds have gone. We’re doing OK,” she said. “Even though the numbers are down, people are coming in with the intention to shop. Weddings are starting up again, and people are looking for gifts and the like. We provide curbside pickup and have even offered to deliver, but I think people want the experience of just coming in.”
Bennette added that while the shop will never get back the months it lost for the shutdown, she thinks things will be all right.
“Provided we don’t see another surge,” she added. “I’m hearing from customers there’s more negative impacts in a lot of cases with the isolation than with coming out and being super careful,” Bennette said.
Springer agreed, saying people are happy to be able to do some of the more “normal” things now.
“We cater to the kids, who are the future,” Springer said. “The kids like to come in to see what we have and play with the toys. They don’t come in and sit on their phone or tablet, that’s for sure.
“Seeing generations of kids having these memories as a child and having them come back with their kids is why I bought the business from my parents when they retired. I wanted this to continue.”
The flexibility of local businesses to adapt during this crisis has brought many changes across multiple industries and it is the hope of both Springer and Bennette that people continue to support their small, locally owned businesses.
“We are keeping things safe, requiring masks and social distancing and we’ve got very contentious, caring employees that will do whatever is needed to help our customers feel comfortable,” Bennette said.
“My parents started this store for the kids and I didn’t want them to close it, so I bought it. I think it’s important for kids, parents and grandparents to have this resource available to them and I’m willing to do whatever our customers need to continue that relationship.”
Cornerstone Shop & Gallery is at 214 Broad St., Lake Geneva. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 262-248-6988 or visit cornerstonelakegeneva.com.
Allison Wonderland’s Lake Geneva shop is at 720 W. Main St. The store can be reached at 262-248-6500. The Burlington shop is at 472 N. Pine St. and can be reached at 262-763-9718. For more information, visit allisonwonderland.com.
