Michigan retail stores reopen with restrictions

DOWAGIAC, Mich. -- Michigan retailers were allowed to reopen Thursday after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's decision to move the entire state to phase four of the "MI Start Safe" plan.

Like almost all small businesses, it was a struggle for Rosy Tomorrows in Dowagiac to keep their doors closed the past few months. Thankfully, they made it through and are ready to get back to business as usual.

“For awhile we’ve been doing curbside delivery and then when the Governor opened things up a little bit we were able to open the shop through appointments,” said Claudia Zebell, owner of Rosy Tomorrows.

While they did receive a loan from the Small Business Association, it was just enough to get by for the time being.

“It has been a challenge with being closed all together,” said Zebell. “I’d say there have been there blessings in it because we do have faithful customers, some have reached out and sent me emails just to say they’re thinking about us.”

Zebell has been anxiously waiting to re-open her store — even writing her own letter to Gov. Whitmer.

“I actually did write a letter to the Governor and to one of our representatives because our shops are small here, so we usually just have a customer or two in at a time anyway,” said Zebell. “So I told her that it would be easy for us to social distance and keep everyone safe and healthy here.”

Rosy Tomorrows, along with all retail stores, will operate under the state’s re-opening guidelines. There will be capacity limits and social distancing requirements, as well as disinfecting and providing hand sanitizer and masks for employees and customers.

As Zebell heads into her sixth year of business, it’s been the most challenging yet, but even just the name of her store helps her keep perspective.

“I think sometimes life feels very hard, as it does for most of us right now with COVID-19 and racial injustice," said Zebell. “And I wanted to remind myself and others that even though today feels hard, there will be a rosy tomorrow as we hang in there.”

Rosy Tomorrows will return to their regular hours — 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.