Small business owners in New Jersey who are still struggling to get back on their feet due to the pandemic are now concerned that business could suffer again with the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise.
For businesses like Bovella's Pastry Shop in Westfield, Thanksgiving is usually a very busy day. However, Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday that new restrictions in the state are close due to the uptick in cases.
Ralph Bencivenga, owner of Bovella's, says he remembers how there were lines all day at the shop on the holiday. Bencivenga shudders thinking about what could happen to one of his biggest days of the year.
"We're really nervous about if there will be a shutdown, if people panic again," says Bencivenga. "And that will devastate our business."
Health officials and Murphy are urging residents to scale back on their holiday plans.
"We're not even 100% now," says Bencivenga. "I can just imagine if people stay home, no get-togethers that will be tragic for our business."
Bencivenga says all businesses can do is hope that orders need to be filled.