CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — As the world adjusts to a new normal, plexiglass and other forms of glass barriers are in high demand.

What You Need To Know

  • Churches, schools and a variety of businesses are among those buying barriers to keep people safe

  • Central Graphics is one of the companies now making all kinds of barriers, including face shields to keep people safe

  • Summer House, a restaurant in Lakewood, says it spent more than $10,000 on barriers

Workers are using a CNC machine to cut up sheets of plexiglass. 

"We had the CNC machine, we had all the employees and we had the materials, so for us it was a no brainer," said David Soulsby, president of Central Graphics in Cuyahoga Falls.

Central Graphics had been making mainly signs and graphics for 25 years until COVID hit. 

"We just flicked a switch and started ordering more material as we needed it. And the material started going scarce so we started just ordering as much as we possibly could."

Large glass barriers are separating customers at the Summer House restaurant in Lakewood. 

"The safety of our clients is always worth it. No matter what the situation is. Whether it’s a pandemic or normal times," said Ross LaMarca, marketing director at Summer House.

LaMarca said the restaurant bought more than $10,000 worth of glass barriers. 

Paul Mills of Mills Custom Woodworks helped install the barriers.  

"We just built a pretty simple oak frame, and were able to screw it to the railing and then set it on the floor here, so it’s not too obtrusive and it almost looks like it belongs," said Mills. "And my biggest challenge is, after the first week, was being able to find anymore plexiglass to use. It was bought up like the toilet paper was in the beginning of COVID." 

And as the machines keep moving at Central Graphics. Soulsby said this is keeping his business rolling through the pandemic. 

“This is keeping us busy. It really is. Were doing a lot of acrylic. This is our number one product right now since March.” 

A product in demand, keeping businesses open and protected.