Businesses local to LBCC’s LAC-campus that suffered economic loss when the school shut its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic have seen significant improvement since the partial reopening of campus for the fall semester.
The proximity to the college contributed to the success of the thriving businesses located on Norse Way, like Wolf’s Brew Coffee, Miss Priss Cupcakes, S.T. Noodle House and many more.
Bryer Garcia, the owner of Wolf’s Brew Coffee, said the college became a focus point when considering a location for his business, which is family owned.
When LBCC made the decision to close its doors for in-person learning back in March of 2020, it was unknown what effects this could have on surrounding businesses that were dependent on the college’s activity for customers.
“My two biggest customers were Boeing and college kids,” said Garcia when explaining the negative impacts that the closure of these establishments had on his business.
Local residents and loyal customers were to thank for keeping the business afloat during the pandemic, with Boeing and LBCC being less than one mile away from the coffee shop.
Back in January, LBCC confirmed in an email to students that the campus would be reopened for the 2021 spring semester for essential laboratory classes only. It was later decided that the campus would also open up to 35% capacity for the 2021 Fall semester, which ranges from August-December.
Although the school is not running at full capacity, businesses like Wolf’s Brew coffee are already seeing an increase of new and returning customers which include LBCC students and staff members.
Garcia acknowledged these positive impacts and said, “We’re seeing, definitely, a flow of kids and students discovering us, which is great.”
Fortunately for some businesses, like Miss Priss Cupcakes & Such, business wasn’t negatively impacted when LBCC closed its doors. The popular bakery continued to receive an abundance of orders for their famous regular and mini cupcakes throughout the closure of the campus.
Susie Johnston, an employee at Miss Priss Cupcakes & Such, emphasized how well they did during the pandemic, “We did really well when COVID hit. We did fine. People still needed their treats”, she said.
When asked how business has changed since the partial reopening of campus, Johnston said, “I haven’t seen a whole lot of difference yet”.
As LBCC extends its capacity to allow for more in-person classes, businesses in close proximity to the campus will likely continue to see a positive increase in customer traffic.