4/24/20 How time flies when you aren’t working…

Even though we’ve not been allowed to open our doors, we have stayed very busy preparing for when that day comes. We’ve been scrubbing and disinfecting every inch of Top Shelf in anticipation of re-opening. Our workroom just needs tailors back in action doing something besides making masks. We have a Covid plan ready to operate safely with all the precautions we can take. Our operation is spread out over 4 floors, and our tailoring staff can easily work with in social distancing guidelines. Our book-keeping and admin will be isolated on the second floor. The main floor has plenty of space for distancing, hand sanitizing sprayers are at the ready for coming and going, and masks and gloves for facing the customers will hopefully do the job of keeping everyone safe. We are just crossing our fingers that May 4th will be the day we can welcome our guests again.

Sometimes it snows in April…

It happens every year in April! Today they are looking good despite the snow. We’ve got 2000 fresh bulbs just starting to pop. Even though we’re closed, it’s worth driving by to feel the power that spring flowers bring.

Top Shelf Status 4/10

Since the extension of the stay at home order in Minnesota, we struggle to plot a course of action. The good news is that all the employees of Top Shelf have been able to collect unemployment benefits that will sustain them through their furloughs. We’ve gotten several e-mails of concern for our well being, and we are grateful to be in those thoughts. We are all blessed with good health for the present, and doing our best to comply with social distancing. As of last Friday a small group of employees and family have been able to safely produce washable face masks for some local businesses who asked for them, as well as customers unable to procure them. I’m sure that face mask fashion will be one of the footnotes of the pandemic.

We’re trying to envision what it will look like when we do re-open. We’ll be working by appointment to control the flow of traffic, and wearing masks when dealing with clients. We will have masks available for clients to use if needed. Our shop is scrubbed down for the protection of everyone. We’d encourage those who have time at home to kill to consider trying on the clothes in their closet and make up a box of things that might need adjustments or repair once we re-open. We will be working with 2 other tailor shops to help create work for their staff as well as our own. Similarly, if you have dry cleaning, this will be another hard hit group of businesses needing the support of the community to stay alive.