BURBANK, Calif. — Signs of the pandemic can be seen up and down Burbank’s Magnolia Boulevard — including empty store fronts, going out of business sales, or in the case of Junk for Joy, closed for renovations.
Owner Kathleen Lenihan has kept very busy during the COVID-19 closure, renovating the space, sorting through inventory and preparing to downsize.
“Get rid of the junk," Lenihan said. "We want to remain the joy.”
Rather than taking up two store fronts, when she reopens, she said her shop will be half the size and so will her overhead, she hopes.
“Because we do have to think of ways we’re going to recoup the income," Lenihan said. "If I’m paying less in rent, it will help me to just stay open and keep going.”
She’s not alone in her concerns. Her next door neighbor is shutting their doors. So is Rocket Fizz, the retro candy store two blocks away. Others are doing what they can to survive, condensing their space or adding new services or products.
“A lot of these people are my friends," Lenihan said. "A lot of the other store owners. I go in, I check on them they check on me.”
Kathy Ross is the owner of Blast from the Past, a specialty store that sells toys, collectibles and comic books.
“It’s been a very tough time," said Ross, who is also the president of the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.
“There were many in the beginning that were very thrown on how are they going to make it through this and what’s available," she said.
She’s been trying to help members and nonmembers alike stay connected and sort through the constantly changing rules and regulations. She’s also put a freeze on membership dues, just so they have one less thing on to worry about.
“These are families. They aren’t corporations. They can’t go back to headquarters or the higher ups and plead their case. This is it for them," Ross said. "We want to see everybody back. We want to see everybody get their businesses and be able to keep their businesses here.”
In the meantime, the Magnolia Park Merchants Association has had to make some tough decisions. They've cancelled all Ladies and Gents Night Out events for the remainder of 2020, as well as the popular Holiday in the Park event. Since they can't control the size of the crowd or whether people will wear masks, Ross said it would be irresponsible to put on an event of that size.
Standing in an empty, freshly painted room, Lenihan said she’s received an outpouring of support from customers and the community. And she’s trying to stay positive, believing those supporters will be there when she finally reopens the doors to her newly renovated store.
“We’re back. We need to see you. You need to come back. You need to support small business," she said. "I just need to see your faces again because I miss everybody so much.”
The city of Burbank recently announced the creation of a new Small Business Assistance Program for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Loans will be available for between five and ten thousand dollars. Information and applications can be found at www.burbankca.gov.