CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (WSIL) -- Many local businesses in Cape Girardeau are managing to stay open and serve customers in unique ways.
Back Porch Antique owner Beverly Kasten says it's hard adjusting to not interacting with customers. But now she's using Facebook to connect.
"Reaching out, doing some videos, and also showcasing some things, not necessarily to come in to buy today," she said.
Kasten says her store is essential for her youngest customers, who need books.
"Like today, I plan to go live to read a book to children and also to showcase what we do have. 'Cause I know kids are at home, they're bored," she said.
COVID-19 has also impacted her employees.
"I have many, many booths in here of people that rent space. This is their only income. I am keeping their things safe by not being handled by other people," she said.
Her husband Mark Kasten, owner of Rental Land Special Events, says the business is struggling.
"We have zero income. So the building's sitting other than a few employees in trying to clean up, straighten up, remodel. We're just trying to hang on," he said.
The center usually hosts dozens of weddings. Although they've been postponed, Kasten is glad no one has had to cancel.
"The stuff that they had reserved, and sometimes it's a lot, it's all been available, nobody's had to cancel things. We got really lucky, and everybody's working together on that," he said.
The couple says although times are difficult right now, the community has been supportive and hopes people won't take local businesses for granted.
"People will want to support locals because they will see, 'Look what they did, look how they suffered, look at how they are working to stay afloat,'" she said.
Beverly Kasten says the antique store is also doing curbside and mail deliveries.
Cape Girardeau County issued a health proclamation Friday advising customers to use safe measures while supporting local businesses.
