Businesses continue to struggle, one retail shop permanently closing down during the pandemic

A local shop in Fallbrook recently closed due to the pandemic.

The Shop Around the Corner, which has been owned by Theresa Morris for a little over two years, closed its doors Thursday, Dec. 31 just before the new year.

"I've only broken even from the beginning," Morris said. "I've only broken even which was fine until they started telling me what I can and cannot do."

Morris was only allowed to have four people in her shop, which included her.

"In the very beginning, I made sure people had their masks on, I said please use hand sanitizer, (and) people did," Morris said. "People felt like they could be here and they could be safe in the midst of it all."

Morris is trying to be positive about it.

"This truly was my happy place," she said. "My husband had a stroke two and a half years ago, and there's no way I would have survived everything that we went through if I didn't have a distraction."

Morris added that she can always do something else again in the future.

"I learned so much," Morris said. "When you have your own business, I never had my own business like this before – I learned so much that if I open up something else again I know what I'm going to do, what I'm not going to do, that kind of thing, but I'm waiting."

Morris added that if she opens anything again, it will be after the pandemic.

"It's just time, I guess, it just feels like because it's the end of the year and this is all happening now...it just seemed like I'm going to throw in the white towel, I'm surrendering," she said.

In the last few days of her shop being open, she donated to churches and businesses around the area.

"Even if we can't hug the people we normally hug, this is so important (human contact) and we're being shut down in a way that is inhibiting us even to do that," she said.

Local shop 100 Main has also had its struggles.

"Prior to COVID, 100 Main was a profitable business with an established client base," owner Tuula said in a statement. "When the COVID hit, that business pretty much collapsed."

Tuula added that the store had close to zero sales until May.

"While the store is still not profitable at least the sales have been climbing at turtle speed each month," Tuula said, "thanks to the support of some wonderful repeat customers."

100 Main is open during the lockdown because they sell essentials such as soaps.

Tuula's other business, Destiny Boutique, is an all-natural product line.

"I had severe skin issues with dryness and rashes all my life," Tuula said. "It felt like every month I had to see a dermatologist to get yet another ointment that did not work. My husband is a chemist and PhD, (and) by his suggestion we made all-natural lavender soap to help out."

During COVID-19, Destiny Boutique received a $10,000 grant from the City of Murrieta. The factory outlet store sits at 26019 Jefferson Suite D in Murrieta, and is open to the public Mondays – Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

"We are grateful for the City of Murrieta for the grant and wish to do our part in virus prevention," Tuula said. In helping with this, they are providing a free soap giveaway (while supplies last) on Monday, Jan. 11 at Destiny Boutique. To find out more, contact Tuula at [email protected].

The Jewelry Connection, which offers a large estate and vintage jewelry collection, and does full service design and repairs, has been doing okay during the pandemic, adding that Fallbrook has been very supportive.

Lexington Howe can be reached by email at [email protected].