Five years ago this month marked the first reported case of COVID-19 in the United States.

The pandemic led to a halt for businesses of all sizes, forcing them to adapt to a changed environment.

To survive, many businesses had to establish an online presence or find innovative ways to engage with their customers in new ways.

For Ivy’s Home and Garden in Chillicothe, Ohio, the transition was challenging, according to owner Melissa Huggins, especially since they had only acquired the store from the previous owner two years earlier.

“We were frightened because we had to close for fifty-six days,” Huggins recalled. “We had to send our employees home and couldn’t have them here, but we still had bills to pay. Being new business owners, we felt very anxious.”

Huggins noted, however, that the pandemic opened up new opportunities for her business, leading to online sales.

“We started exploring our store and discovered a treasure trove of items in our basement left by JoAnn [the previous owner],” Huggins shared. “With the extra time on our hands, we began organizing and showcasing these items.”

They decided to utilize a Facebook group, which they named Club Ivy’s, to sell these items.

“We posted what we called ‘buried basement treasures’ on our Club Ivy’s page and began selling them that way,” Huggins explained. “We also started hosting live sales on Facebook, allowing customers to see what was available and claim items.”

Despite the eventual reopening, Huggins mentioned that the live Facebook sales continue to thrive.

“Our customers love it, saying, ‘Hey, don’t stop that, we enjoy those,’ so we’ve maintained weekly live sales since COVID. We’re preparing for our 250th Ivy Shopping Network event.”

Other local businesses such as Picture This also had to embrace the digital era to stay relevant.

“Our business evolved significantly,” said owner Lynn Berry. “We had to shift online, which was fortunate since we now have reliable internet. When we first started, the online landscape was nothing like it is today with platforms like Facebook.”

Berry and her husband adapted by offering door service, delivering their handcrafted frames directly to customers in their vehicles.

“Like others, it was tough, but we managed to make it through,” Berry stated. “Each year presents different challenges, especially now with economic issues and competition from larger stores. Our online store has been a lifesaver, particularly for those who prefer staying in during the winter months.”

Berry expressed gratitude for the loyal support of her customers, highlighting their importance to her business.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” Berry said. “Our community is incredible in how they rally behind local businesses, and that’s why I’m still operating. Many of my customers have become good friends, and I enjoy meeting newcomers. Overall, business is going well.”