Link to Article at Fox 28 from Columbus, Ohio
Article by Jesse Pagan 
Thursday, May 7th 2020

DUBLIN, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — As non-essential small businesses struggle to stay afloat and reopen, some of their owners are taking aim at big box stores.

A group of business owners under the name Free Minnesota Small Business Coalition have sued their Governor, claiming the business closures infringe on their constitutional rights to equal protection.

The group's crux is that as non-essential businesses, they cannot sell their products in their stores. However, essential stores--many who also sell clothing, shoes, and other non-essential items--can still sell and make a profit off them. A judge is questioning the court's jurisdiction over the matter.

Since the closures in Ohio, Alvarez says she's had to get creative and resourceful; she has opened an online store and is taking phone orders and making deliveries.

"They’re bigger box stores that can afford to have a little bit of downtime per se; when some of us smaller stores a little bit of downtime, it means a lot bigger challenges for us," she said.

Roger Geiger, executive director of the Ohio chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, says there is always a question of fairness when government picks and chooses who can stay and go.

"That just shows you the real desperation that many small business owners are feeling right now and that’s true here in Ohio as well," Geiger said.

Several states and counties across the country have banned big box and essential stores from selling non-essential items, leveling the playing field. Geiger says small shops in Ohio may actually have a leg up anyway.

"He gets a lot of credit," Geiger said. "Governor DeWine has created a pathway now for small retailers to reopen."

That pathway, aiming for a Tuesday, May 12th opening for many stores, lays out requirements like masks, social distancing, and customer limits for retail.

"We’ve got Plexiglas coming up, we’ll be doing masks," Alvarez said.

She hopes her extra measures will help keep everyone safe and recoup her losses.

"We’re still striving to do what we can to make it meet because we want to be in this community, provide the service to our customers, and just stay here."


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