close

Efforts made to help steer Mt. Lebanon businesses through current, future crises

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 4 min read
article image -

In the wake of COVID-19, business as usual is taking on new meanings, and Mt. Lebanon commercial districts manager Eric Milliron wants to help ensure local entrepreneurs are able to adapt to whatever the future holds.

He has been working with Mt. Lebanon Partnership, a nonprofit entity that also promotes economic growth and community viability, in what he calls an “emergency management approach” for steering businesses through the current crisis and beyond.

“When we became aware of just how serious this was going to be and the closures, we immediately leapt into a response mode: What can we do now to assist all of your businesses in the district, and property owners,” Milliron explained during Mt. Lebanon Commission’s June 9 discussion session, which was conducted virtually and made available online the next day.

As the state’s plan for reopening has moved into the “green” phase for Allegheny County, the emphasis is on guiding local businesses on how to proceed with customers’ expectations at the forefront.

“It used to be that you would go into a restaurant and the cleaning of the table was hidden from you,” Milliron said. “It was something you didn’t want to see. Well, now, that’s the show. I’m calling it the ‘theater of cleanliness.’

“People want to see the sanitizer,” he added. “They want to see the wiping down of the chairs, the tables and the bar tops, and they want to see the wait staff presentable and clean.”

He and members of Mt. Lebanon Partnership are planning to establish an ongoing business recovery task force.

“One of the things we’ve learned through this,” he said about the closures caused by COVID-19, “is that a lot of businesses really weren’t prepared, as many of us were not. But there are some things we can do, working with the businesses, to make sure that they have the resiliency should this, unfortunately, go back to a ‘red’ or a ‘yellow.'”

That also applies to future scenarios.

“It’s critical that our businesses step into the 21st century solidly, with functioning websites, a clear understanding of how eCommerce can take place on those platforms, that they sync with mobile devices, all of these types of things,” Milliron said. “For a lot of businesses, it just really wasn’t something that was actually compelling to them. They feel pretty compelled now, and we’re going to be what we can to work with them to make that happen.”

To help monitor the local business environment, he has been sending out surveys.

“I try not to bombard the businesses with it, but I really need to get an understanding of where the community is and what their needs are,” he said. “And then we’re tracking what businesses we think are struggling and may need a little additional help, and which ones are doing as well as can be expected.”

Milliron recommended the development of continuity plans in case owners are face further requirements to close their businesses.

“They need to clearly understand break-even points, and they need to understand everything that they can do to bring cash flow if this happens again,” he said. “And I do encourage people to think in a dark way about this. We all hope for the best, but plan for the worst.”

Milliron said a “Love Lebo” campaign was a boost for businesses, and he also announced the Mt. Lebanon Uptown Market has reopened. The seasonal event along Washington Road takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 24.

Because of new guidelines from the state Department of Agriculture, the number of market vendors has been reduced this year. Masks will be required, and social-distancing practices will be in place.

For more information, visit mtlebopartnership.org/events/wesbanco-uptown-farmers-market.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $/week.

Subscribe Today