Magus Books & Herbs, LTD
Two business owners fighting furiously for their brick & mortar retail bookstore, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Demonstrating resilience as they also navigate the tumultuous waters of civil unrest and rioting.
Tools Used:
Tenacity. Grit. Compromise. Hope.
Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
Community. Love.
What's the Problem?
Parallel Perils: 2020 Pandemic & Protests
Built in 1890, the building we were in had persistent challenges which required our vigilant efforts to monitor, maintain, and restore our premises, ensuring it's proper upkeep
This was me in early March of 2020, as I stood unaware of the impending chaos, engrossed in my work of a new front window display. A small business owner, blissfully ignorant of what was to come.
Whispers of a perplexing ailment called the Coronavirus reached our ears. However, it wasn't until mid-March that the magnitude of this menace truly dawned on us - a statewide stay-at-home order was declared, marking a profound shift in our understanding of the situation.
Our entire staff was sent home, and the responsibility of entering the building to assess it's condition and manage issues such as flooding, leaks, and rodent concerns fell solely upon my business partner and me.
A view from the outside looking in, at a time when nobody was allowed in.
A surreal image of our vacant store captures a stark departure from it's usual vibrancy, where bustling crowds of customers, lively classes and events, and a bustling crew were the norm.
I Shine When...
Providing needs and goods to customers, even when navigating the new & unknown
We initially anticipated the mandated stay-at-home order to last 2 weeks. That 2 weeks extended to 2 months. During this protracted period, I seized the opportunity to transform our store environment. I brightened the walls from a dull gray to a yummy yellow.
In response to the evolving circumstances, my business partner and I devised a strategy to adapt to the "new normal". Initially, we introduced curbside delivery. As the situation improved, we diligently crafted a safe shopping experience within the store. We strategically placed six-foot spacing stickers on the floor to promote social distancing and offered shopping by appointment to maintain control over the number of customers in the store at any given time.
We created a new Store Hours sign that prominently displayed the new requirement of face masks for entry. I chose to include a powerful message to convey inclusivity and compassion that stated: If you are showing signs of Covid, Racism, or Homophobia, Please Do Not Enter. Please Quarantine until you are better. This has been shared and reposted by many of our appreciative customers on social media.
I Wonder...
How to create a haven and a place of safe solace, when our city explodes in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing.
During this already surreal time we were experiencing, in late May our city was engulfed in riots, fires, and collective outrage following the death of George Floyd. Our store was located directly across the street from the heavily fortified 2nd Precinct Police Station, faced the ominous possibility of becoming engulfed in the chaos. Precautionary measures were taken, and our windows were boarded up. Residence from above made a plea with spray paint asking the building not be burnt: children were living above.
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We then hired a local graffiti artist to make a more poignant mural, appealing to and empathizing with the community. Imagine a store, once busy and bustling with customers and employees, now empty, locked up, & boarded silently waiting for the light to shine in again - literally and figuratively.
I Wish...
There was a magical wand to wave that would whisk away all the troubles we were facing, but there was no such tool. Instead, with unwavering tenacity, a hopeful outlook, and a plan, I transform challenges into valuable opportunities and meaningful improvements.
As our community felt safer and restrictions were lifted, we started the process of bringing our staff back. To remain competitive and support our team, we increased our minimum wage. We made a strategic decision not to rely on PPP loans.
We gradually expanded hours back to 7 days a week. To optimize our business hours for 2023, we conducted meticulous hour-by-hour headcounts and sales analysis.
I take great pride in having played a pivotoal role in helping the store navigate through these tumultuous times. As I now seek new career opportunities, I am excited to bring my UX/UI expertise to new challenges and continue making a positive impact.
