WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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All is quiet near Fountain Square. A sign on the door to the mall gives a notice it will remain closed on Wednesday, March 25th until further notice.
You can hear sound of cars passing by, but it’s not busy downtown for a Tuesday afternoon. The sidewalks are nearly empty with an exception of a jogger, a dog-walker and a pedestrian crossing Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street.
A sign inside the window of the Monroe County Courthouse says, “Monroe County Government Building Closed until Further Notice.”
Another notice dates March 23rd, and it’s signed by County Attorney Margie Rice. It says the Monroe County Council will convene on Wednesday, March 25th at 2 p.m.
The notice said the meeting is open to the public although the number of people allowed will be limited.
In every restaurant, shop and small business, there are notices inside the windows. Except for one local business that will stay open until they’re required by law to lock their doors. This is Vance Music Center presided and owned by Phil Gause.
I stopped in and talked to him about Covid-19’s local economic impact – maintaining six feet apart during the interview.
“Well right now, business is extremely slow, because no one is out,” said Gause.
Gause worked at Vance Music Center for 43 years. He’s owned the company for 25 of those years. He bought the company directly from its previous owner, Bernie Vance.
He said with the new restrictions, Vance Music will cut back on employees’ hours. It will offer a curb service, while ensuring doors are locked.
Gause said he’s disappointed small businesses like his remain closed, while large corporations with crowded spaces such as grocery and hardware store chains will stay open.
“Those of us trying to use up all of our resources…and still be in the hole,” he said, “so far that we can’t get out.”
He said Vance Music started in 1948. Since its opening, it experienced economic downturns. Gause describes this period as an economic downturn, and he is worried about the impact Covid-19 will take on his business.
“There isn’t anybody who knows what to do in this situation,” he said, “you just got to do the best you can.”
During the Stay-at-Home executive order, he reassured the doors will remain locked.
“Well we will lock the door,” he said, “but we’re planning on at least one or two people each day coming down to the store.”
His philosophy during this time is to simply take care of business, even in the smallest of ways. He wants to serve his clients to do his part in contributing to the community.
“For a little while, there aren’t going to be any big sales,” said Gause.
The owner said money will be tight in the coming months. Making money in the music business in general proves difficult. However, Gause stays hopeful for the times ahead. He said will continue doing what he can to keep his business afloat.
“The hay days of making money in the music went by the wayside already,” he said.
Walking outside the door to Vance Music, you can see the empty sidewalk. Cars pass on Walnut Street and College Avenue. Above the noise of the automobiles, you can hear birds sing.
