BUFFALO (WBEN) - As numerous businesses across New York State that have had to shut down completely, or at least move their workforce to a 100 percent work from home format, some of the businesses deemed essential by the state are still struggling.
Bob Gugino of Bison Automotive said he was initially thrilled that his repair and detail shop was considered to be essential, but as the past two weeks have rolled along, he's noticed some difficulties.
"As it's been going on, we've been finding out that business is not so good," said Gugino. "It's really kind of slow - people are kind of just hunkering down in their houses, and we don't see a lot of activity out there with people having problems with their cars."
Gugino brought up a fair question...with so much of the economy shut down and leading health officials warning the public to stay in their houses, is this a viable model for these so-called essential businesses to remain open? Gugino isn't so sure.
"I'm open, but is it worth being open?" he wondered. "Because I'm small and can self-contain a little bit, I can sustain myself and be here for my customers, but there are several of my peer who have closed because they were unable to do that. We're a little more diverse with the AAA, the detailing and the repair, so I'm able to sublet that around in the shop to be able to get it so that I can hold my own by my fingernails hopefully for the next few weeks until something changes."