As COVID-19 caused several Bloomington businesses to shut their doors this summer, a new crop of businesses made the risky decision to open during a pandemic.
Soul Juice opened in September on the courthouse square. Joel Jacobson, store manager of the new juice and smoothie bar, said the initial response was overwhelmingly positive. Now, as students leave for the holidays and cold weather has settled in, the menu will change to attract customers who prefer warm items.
“We implemented … we brought in the salads and the zoodles, that’s one thing," Jacobson said. "Now we’re looking into bringing soups, warm soups and cold ones that people can take home and warm up themselves.”
Jacobson said Grub Hub has helped keep business going as virus cases spike again.
Bret Pafford opened two businesses, the Brilliant Coffee Company in July and Nourish Bar in September. Both are just off the courthouse square on West Sixth Street. Pafford and his staff roast coffee, bake, cook and make their gelato in-house. Consistent business has been Pafford’s biggest struggle.
“People feel moments of confidence and get out there and then they get back to the media and they get spooked back inside and they don’t get out quite as much," Pafford said. "I think it’s a consistent struggle.”
Pafford said because customers at Brilliant Coffee and Nourish Bar order at a counter and usually take the food out, he thinks they will survive.
Although opening businesses during a pandemic has not been easy, the excitement is still there for both Jacobson and Pafford.
“Having something from thought transcend into existence is always kind of neat,” Pafford said. "It’s like artists’ work, you know.”
