NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WBEN) - Small businesses are eager to resume operations at full capacity but are at the mercy of New York State's reopening plan.
Local businesses have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the state economy to virtually shut down for the past three months.
"It has hit us all very hard," Sylvia Virtuoso, co-owner of Guido's Upholstery on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls, said. "Hopefully we'll all come out better but it's going to take time and we're going to need (the state's) help."
"I feel like I'm cutting a ribbon on a new project which is the revitalization of Downtown Niagara Falls after we've been in this self-induced coma required because we're in the throes of a health crisis. It's been over 100 days since we had to literally shut down the New York State economy to save lives."
Hochul reminds companies that phase three of reopening is scheduled for Tuesday. This phase will include the reopening of bars and restaurants to 50 percent capacity.