REOPENINGS A RETURN TO NORMAL ALONG NEWBURY

Biz owners buoyed, await better times

The few Newbury Street shop owners who opened their doors Monday were in high spirits, undeterred by the light foot traffic and remnants of last week’s protests.

While most larger retailers remained closed, smaller businesses placed sidewalk chalkboards and painted messages on their storefronts welcoming patrons for the first time in almost three months in keeping with the state’s Phase 2 reopening.

“I think in time customers are going to come back,”

Lauren Moore, 37, the owner of Mulberry Road said. Moore painted a “We’re Open” message with bright colors and a rainbow at the entrance of her baby goods storefront below the Newbury Street sidewalk.

“It’s a perfect time to reopen, these gorgeous June days,” Moore said. “We’re excited to enjoy the summer with normalcy.”

Mulberry Road featured the floor signs and customer limits spotted in all retailers, and shops offered hand sanitizers by their entrances. Various store owners appeared unworried about the coronavirus, with many suggesting they expect customers to adhere to face mask and distance requirements.

Patrons were few and far between Monday morning, but also gone were the National Guardsmen and their Humvees, which had been posted at Newbury Street corners over the past weekend in response to looting which broke out at the end of a George Floyd social injustice protest last Sunday.

Restaurant staff, permitted to open outdoor seating in the state’s Phase 2 reopening beginning Monday, were spotted down Newbury Street setting up tables and chairs Monday morning.

Thinking Cup coffee shop customers enjoyed drinks and snacks in the shop’s shaded patio on Monday afternoon, and barista Brenda Correa said the outdoor seating is a boost for the shop which sits just below the Newbury Street sidewalk.

“It was kind of word of mouth,” Correa said of business during the initial shutdown, when they did takeout and delivery orders. “(Now) everybody’s happy.”

Rachel Yoshida, an employee at the FineOne Hand Craft & Gift, sported a face mask, face shield and blue gloves behind her counter. Yoshida said although foot traffic will attract more passersby who are drawn to the store’s miniature models on display, business will still be slow.

“A lot of the hotels around the area are also closed,” Yoshida said, “so a lot of people aren’t visiting and a lot of locals aren’t going out.”

MATT STONE / HERALD STAFF I’LL TAKE FOUR OF THOSE: People dine at the The Fours for lunch in the new outdoor seating area in front of the restaurant on Monday in Quincy.

NANCY LANE / HERALD STAFF SIDEWALK CAFE: Aakriti Joshi, on her first day back to work as a dental hygienist, enjoys the newly reopened outdoor dining space at the Thinking Cup coffee shop on Newbury Street.

NAncy lAnE / HErAld stAFF OPEN AND HAPPY ABOUT IT: Lauren Moore, owner of Mulberry Road children’s shop, paints a sign announcing they opened up on Newbury Street. Retail shops and outdoor dining were able to open on Monday with some restrictions as part of Phase 2 of the state reopening plan.