Annapolis Invention, Business Creativity Help Shops Stay Open

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Businesses are gearing up for the holiday season. With an increased emphasis on safety, local owners had to get creative to protect their customers.

One Annapolis company invented an air cleansing unit to combat the spread of coronavirus. Events shifted their hours to maintain distancing. And businesses added virtual services.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This week's guest contribution comes from the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. Here's what Executive Director Erik Evans wrote about how local entrepreneurs are adapting to the new economy:

"This year it is all about safe shopping and shopping local. By now most of us understand the importance of mask-wearing, social distancing, washing our hands, and keeping high touch areas clean. The recent Thanksgiving travel warning messages have also reminded us that the most common way to catch a virus including COVID is being close to family members and friends that may unknowingly have the virus. It is important to remember to have health safety protocols when visiting with people we know and trust.

Many local businesses are taking extra steps this year to keep customers and employees safe indoors while shopping, dining, or staying overnight. Some stores are leaving doors open when the weather allows to improve the fresh air exchange rate and to keep you from having to touch door handles. Rams Head On Stage has installed a Hydroxylator. This device invented by AC Beverage in Annapolis takes distilled water and runs it through a metal screen and then a UVA light that converts it into hydrogen peroxide that is ionized and continuously distributed into the air to kill airborne COVID-19 and other germs. This device along with many other safety measures has allowed Rams Head to resume indoor concerts. Several businesses including Sir Speedy, 49 West Coffeehouse, and Luna Blu Restaurant have followed the University of Michigan’s advice of adding air filtration filters with a Merv13 or higher rated air filters. These air filters greatly reduce the number of particles in the air that can carry viruses, bacteria, and mold. Improving air quality makes a difference in reducing the chances of catching a virus indoors. For those that still prefer dining at restaurants outdoors, many have added heated tents that have plenty of fresh air circulation including Carpaccio’s Tuscan Kitchen, Lemongrass, Level, Tsunami, and other downtown restaurants. Reynolds Tavern has added igloo style domes on their back patio for small groups wishing to do reservations.

This month during the Midnight Madness on Thursday nights in downtown Annapolis, shopping and dinner will start at 4 pm instead of 6 pm to help spread out shoppers. This Sunday the First Sunday Arts Holiday Market will feature 50 artists set up outdoors on West Street. Both of these shopping opportunities support local businesses, require a mask and social distancing. They also both offer online shopping options.

For those that prefer to shop local without going indoors, many local galleries, artist studios, and shops have improved their online stores this year and the Annapolis Collection Gallery has added an online auction that takes place a couple of times a month. Wine and Design has added online art classes and parties where you and your friends can paint together on Zoom. Most galleries and artist studios can also do phone orders, shopping by appointment, shipping, and curbside pickup. Restaurants have gift cards that can be purchased online, and local musicians have both downloadable music options and CDs. Some of your favorite performing arts organizations including the Annapolis Symphony, the Annapolis Shakespeare Company, and others have added virtual performances you can watch online. If you have someone visiting you may also wish to consider suggesting to them one of the local hotels or inns as an alternative to your spare room. These additional steps will help keep you and your family safer when combined with the other safety measures as you shop, dine, and stay local this year.

The Annapolis Arts District is aglow under its Holiday Light Canopy and downtown Annapolis holiday decorations are more abundant than ever. It looks like a winter wonderland and is worth a visit. Free parking during Midnight Madness is available at Knighton and Gotts Court Parking Garages in the Annapolis Arts District and at Gotts Court Garage during the First Sunday Arts Market.

Learn more about the Annapolis Arts District at www.AnnapolisArtsDistrict.org

Erik Evans
Executive Director
Annapolis Arts District"

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