The arrival of summertime usually means dining al fresco, enjoying concerts and festivals, going on family getaways and more. But the recent pandemic has put a damper on activities and entertainment throughout the Quad Cities.
Local businesses continue to navigate the challenges of reopening restrictions and improved safety measures.
We checked in with two small businesses in our community to find out how they’ve been impacted by COVID-19 and how they plan to safely reopen for customers.
Indigo Wellness
Indigo Wellness has provided a relaxing retreat to local yogis for more than 14 years. Last year, owners Shannon Moran and Abby Webster- Moran merged their three original locations into a brand-new facility off John Deere Road in Moline. The couple — who poured most of their savings into the project — was excited to offer more amenities and services to their loyal clientele under one roof, including yoga, hot yoga, barre, hot barre, HIIT classes, yoga teacher training and more.
Just a year after moving into their new studio, COVID-19 hit the country with full force, shutting down non-essential operations like Indigo Wellness.
“The only way we’ve been able to say we’ve made it through this first wave is help through the Small Business Administration and IHMVCU,” Shannon said. “IH gave us three months off from paying our small business construction loan, so that alleviated some of the immediate concern, but we still had a second mortgage to pay. We also lucked out and were accepted in the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program to help absorb some of those costs that we’d been losing for weeks. If we didn’t have that additional help we’d be in bankruptcy.”
Like most businesses during the pandemic, Indigo Wellness had to get creative to stay afloat during one of the most challenging economic crises in recent memory. Since mid-March, they’ve hosted online classes to stay connected with clients looking for an outlet to reduce stress and anxiety during these difficult times. They’ve also held some classes outside to better enforce social distancing protocols.
As Illinois moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, Indigo looks forward to opening their indoor studio space to a limited number of clients (half capacity). To prepare, they’re following state guidelines as well as recommendations from the Yoga Alliance, which includes asking students to bring their own mats, blocks, straps and other equipment. Hands-on adjustments during class will also be halted, and clients will not be able to use certain amenities — like the shower facilities — until further notice.
“We want to make everyone comfortable and provide all the classes that they love, but it’s going to look different for a little while,” Abby said. “These changes are temporary. We love our clients and what we do so much, and as hard as it is to take away some of the amenities that we’re used to, we’re doing it to keep our instructors and clients safe.”
Circa ‘21
Housed in the historic Fort Armstrong Theater in the heart of downtown Rock Island, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has delighted theatergoers for 43 years. Originally a vaudeville and silent movie house in 1921, Circa ’21 transformed through the years into a successful movie theater before a 1977 remodel turned it into the off-Broadway playhouse it’s known for today.
But in March — one week from opening a production of Saturday Night Fever — the longstanding entertainment venue unexpectedly (and temporarily) shut its doors due to COVID-19. Like so many others, the Circa ’21 team turned to online platforms to stay connected with customers.
“Since we closed our production of Kinky Boots on March 14, that was the last day we had any earned income,” said Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development. “We’re used to having shows five days a week, so as an entertainment venue, we felt it was important during the early stages of the virus to do a lot of virtual things, like virtual cabarets.”
During the shutdown, actors — who are scattered coast to coast — have stayed connected via weekly Zoom rehearsals.
“It’s not the same as being on stage, but at least they’re seeing each other, staying in the mode of the show and rehearsing new dance numbers,” Hitchcock said. “Once we reopen, if the cast has about a week to get back on stage and get in the swing of things, that should be enough time for the actors to be ready to perform again.”
The past few months have given the Circa ’21 team ample time to prepare for a successful phased reopening. Regular theatergoers will notice some changes to a typical evening out, including plated entrees in lieu of a buffet dinner, masks and gloves on all performing waitstaff and enhanced social distancing protocols with an every-other table vacancy.
In late June, the theater hosted its first live show in three months, and its first ever outdoor show featuring cast members performing atop the iconic marquee. The show sold out in less than 24 hours.
“We’re finding that people are just ready to get out and to be entertained,” Hitchcock said. “They’ve watched all the Netflix they can watch, they’ve watched the news ad nauseum and now they’re ready to be entertained live and in person. We certainly appreciate the support of the Quad Cities community and surrounding areas, and we’re really looking forward to getting back to what we do, which is create an entertaining evening for people and a little getaway where they can enjoy and have a good time.”