Pullman businesses could close in the upcoming months if sales do not improve.

People are staying home because of increasing COVID-19 cases, and there was no influx of visitors during September, said Marie Dymkoski, executive director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. If this trend continues, some businesses will close in November and December.

The Pullman community has done a great job of supporting local businesses, she said. People can continue to support local businesses by buying gift cards or ordering takeout if they are comfortable going into a business, she said. Most businesses are also offering curbside pickup or delivery. 

“Some restaurants have delivery within their own walls,” she said. “Tom Handy told me he has a son that is doing delivery for their restaurant, Paradise Creek Brewery.”

To adhere to Gov. Jay Inslee’s guidelines, restaurants can only be at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants have done a great job of following cleaning protocols, enforcing social distancing and mask wearing, Dymkoski said.

Many restaurants also rely on catering to bring money in, but those services are not available right now, she said.

The holiday season is coming up, and it is important for the community to think about shopping at Pullman businesses, she said.

“I know it’s so fun to go to the cities and do that fun shopping, but it’s really important that we think about shopping in Pullman first,” Dymkoski said.

There are several gift stores in town, including ones that sell floral arrangements, specialty wines and cheeses, she said. 

Flirt customers can make an appointment to shop by themselves when the store is closed, she said. 

People need to spread the word about shopping in Pullman in any way they can, especially on social media, she said. 

“Last, wear a mask when you are going out and physically distance and wash your hands, and let’s get rid of this thing,” she said.