MA Coronavirus: Small Business Owners Face Uncertain Future

BOSTON — This was supposed to be the start of the busy season for Kat and Aram Orchanian, the husband-wife team that runs Watertown-based Kataram Studios. The photographers would typically be booking spring, summer and fall weddings, as well as a string of corporate events and food photography shoots for restaurants.

Now, even family portraits are difficult under guidelines limiting the size of gatherings to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"Photography is more than just a wedding for us," Kat Orchanian said. "Our last client before this was a Boston office with 45 headshots. We were fortunate to squeeze it in, never expecting this to happen."

As small business owners, the Orchanians are among the thousands of Massachusetts workers who are not eligible for unemployment. They work in one of the thousands of "nonessential businesses" Gov. Charlie Baker ordered closed for at least two weeks beginning Tuesday. While restaurant owners have been able to generate some revenue by offering takeout and delivery, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance warned that manyother small businesses are unlikely to survive the shutdown without government assistance.

"Many small businesses will not be able to survive," said Paul D. Carney, a spokesperson for the conservatve think tank. "Over the next two weeks, the administration and State House leaders must develop a plan for the state's business community that demonstrates their willingness to help businesses and their employees stay afloat."

Related story: What Is Open, Closed During MA Stay-At-Home Advisory

Six years ago, Tom Coppi bought small picture frame shops in Cambridge, Brookline and Quincy from the retiring owners. He has been paying them off, but now he will have to close the Cambridge store and consolidate it with "what's left of my other shops."

Coppi is offering free pickup and delivery and adding an upload portal to the Website for Hagops Frames. He's also trying to offer design consultations via Facetime.

"I have no idea if this will work, but these times call for desperate and creative solutions," Coppi said.

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Donna Solari closed her Sudbury Salon on March 14. She said she was already living paycheck to paycheck, but the decision to close before most small businesses in the state was "in hopes of keeping staff and clients safe." She has also refused client requests to perform salon services in their homes.

"To me that defeats the purpose of social distancing," she said.

One client sent her a check, while another sent money through the online payment service Venmo. But Solari said she was uncomfortable with those charitable gestures.

"There doesn’t seem to be any funding or help for the salon industry workers," she said. "We don’t get sick leave or any other benefits for that matter. It’s tough times for all but especially for us in the hair industry."

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).