MA Patch Survey: Business Owners Worried, Confused On Reopening

BOSTON — Forty percent of Massachusetts business owners responding to a Patch survey said they fear their businesses will not survive the economic downturn resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, only 38 percent of survey respondents — representing a range of business owners from independent booksellers to restaurateurs to wedding photographers —expect business to pick up quickly once the state's economy begins to reopen. Fully 60 percent think it will take "some time" for their businesses to reach previous levels.

What's more, 29 percent of respondents said they might delay reopening well beyond the date set by the state, preferring to wait until health experts say they can do so safely.

The survey, emailed last week to more than 1,100 business owners represented in one of Patch's local business directories, drew more than 110 responses. It was not intended to be a scientific poll, with such features as randomization and margins of error, but was meant only to give to a broad general idea of attitudes and views.

The starkest finding was the number of business people who worry about going under during an economic slowdown that could last for months.

"Small businesses are going to tank and we cannot survive or withstand this," said one respondent, an optometrist.

"Even though we have tried to cut costs, there is always a limit to how long businesses can go without sales," said the owner of a spa.

Some respondents expect things to pick up quickly, including the owner of a pet-sitting business.

"Due to the nature of my business, my rebound will be dependent on when my clients are permitted to go back to work," she said. "Once they go back, they will need us, and that is when we will see the lift. We have already seen good return."

But others expect a long, slow return to normal business patterns.

"We have a long way to go to normalcy," said one financial planner. "Reopening is simply the next step."

Some respondents, however, said they are unlikely to open as soon as the lockdown lifts for their type of business.

"As much as I would love to reopen my business right away, I know it's best to wait and open slowly for the safety of all our families," said the owner of a dance academy. ":I want to be fully aware of any procedures we need to put in place as well after we reopen."

And while 38 percent of respondents approved of Gov. Charlie Baker's timeline for reopening the state's economy, 29 percent did not, including many who thought he delayed too long. (The survey was conducted before Monday's announcement of a detailed timeline.)

"The fear from the general public in MA is over the top and being perpetuated by the Governor's words and actions," one respondent said. "Small business are either clinging to the edge or starting to close permanently at this point, and watching other states open and others in our particular industry be able to welcome their clientele in the door is the height of both individual frustration and the feeling of abandonment by our political representatives."

Still, respondents generally gave Baker high marks for his performance during the pandemic, with 69 percent saying they are satisfied or very satisfied with his response, while less than 20 percent said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

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