Governor Holcomb opens nonessential businesses on limited basis

GRANGER, Ind. - Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb extended and amended his stay-at-home order at his Monday Coronavirus update. The order now goes until April 20th, but does open non-essential businesses on a limited basis. The order still requires businesses to maintain social distancing guidelines and limit the amount of people allowed inside. It encourages business owners to conduct business primarily through curbside delivery and online business.

Two businesses in Granger said they don't anticipate the order to change much for them in the near future.

"We've basically been shut down since three weeks ago Monday now," said John Eubank, President of Al-Bar Ranch in Granger off Fir Road. "What little business we've had has either been phone-ins and people picking it up at the door or on the internet."

Eubank already has a plan in place for when he will look into re-opening.

I think we're probably going to stick to the 20th (of April) and re-evaluate it at that time," Eubank said.

Down the road in Granger sits Spin Zone and Sportcrafters. Because it provides a method of transportation, the State of Indiana has declared it an essential business. Shop Owner Pete Colan said he has seen an increase in busines during the pandemic because of European bike manufacturers shutting down and because of people wanting to get a new bike for exercise or repair an old bike to get outside. That being said, Colan is still worried about the distant future.

"I don't see a big effect on us," Colan said. "There's more of a long term effect. With uncertainty comes fear of what do I do with my money? The competitive events are now pretty much canceled probably through midsummer in Michigan, at least. So, we also serve the competitive community both triathlon and road, and if they don't know a race is going to happen or if they fear they don't have the money to spend, well then, competitive cycling is going to be down considerably this year."

The State of Michigan has not declared bike shops an essential business. So, Colan has invited Michigan bike riders to come to his shop if they need their bikes repaired so they can get to work or exercise or do whatever activity they'd like to do while biking.

Being able to still run his shop has not stopped Colan from worrying about the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm hoping we don't see a culture change where group events, cycling events and triathlons, are forever changed because of distancing rules that may or may not become permanent," Colan said. "I don't know. I fear the future. I don't fear what's going to happen right now or in the near-term future."

Colan said he now wipes down every surface in his shop after anyone touches it to take every precaution to keep the shop germ-free. He also said he does not want a crowd of people to flood into his shop so that he can still follow the social distancing guidelines.