OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — For the first time in months, Made in Omaha welcomed customers back inside Friday, with new safety precautions in place.
“Primarily new cleaning techniques,” said Brandon Beed, Made In Omaha co-owner. “More regular cleaning techniques. Also, how to approach customers so they know they need to wear a mask. How to deal with someone that comes in without a mask.”
They sell locally made masks in the store, and also have disposable masks available if customers forget their own.
They’ve added Plexiglas at the check-out, a hand sanitizing station, and reduced store capacity. Behind the scenes for employees, Made in Omaha is extending sick leave by two weeks, scheduling the same employees together to limit exposure, and offering hazard pay.
“We are encouraging people to shop online if that’s what they’re most comfortable with,” Beed said. “But we do, during this period, want to be able to offer the in-store experience for customers.”
Beed said having an established website helped the store and local makers through the pandemic. At first many people were shipping online.
“I think with us customers feel like it’s a double whammy because you can support us, the owners, but you can support all of the local makers at the same time,” Beed said.
As those online sales trend back down, Beed, with the support of his local makers, believes now is the time to welcome customers back.
Made in Omaha is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.
