Businesses hope lifting of Kansas City’s mask mandate brings customers into stores
Pandemic weary businesses hope that the end of the mask mandate in Kansas City will soon lead to a crush of customers through their doors.
The City Council voted to rescind the city’s mask order on Thursday, but approved keeping a mandate for kids and adults in school.
Businesses in Kansas City may still ask that patrons wear a mask to enter. There’s is also a mask rule in place at city buildings, and masks must still be worn in federal buildings and at the Kansas City International Airport.
Although the lifting of the mandate was hailed by some, businesses, especially smaller ones, said what they need most is for shoppers to return and make the cash registers start ringing.
“Initially when we began requiring proof of vaccination, it was overwhelmingly positive,” said Richard Garcia, owner of Big Mood Natural Wines at 2020 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 102, in Kansas City’s Crossroads neighborhood. “I think people were put at ease that we actually cared enough to ask for proof of vaccination.”
But over time, pandemic fatigue set in.
“It was really more just a struggle to get people in the door in general,” he said. “At this point, I’m just throwing my hands up. I’m at the will of the people.”
With the mask mandate ending and the fact that people are eligible for vaccines, including booster shots as another layer of safety, Garcia said he will be turning to a mask-optional policy.
“I will be wearing a mask indoors whenever people are in here and honestly, that’s the best I can do at this point,” he said.
He added that he’s following the guidance of the City Council so if someone comes in without wearing a mask, he won’t say anything.
“Those of us that feel like wearing a mask is an added layer of protection against the virus, they’re going to do it already,” he said. “And people that don’t want to do that, I really don’t have the time or patience to fight with anyone. And financially speaking, I need anyone and everyone that wants to come in here to buy things.”
Although it’s hard to say whether lifting the mandate will bring more customers in, Garcia said he hopes it does, but it’s just really a guess at this point. The ongoing pandemic has left many depressed and fatigued.
“All of us small business owners are just really struggling right now,” he said. “Whatever it takes to get people out shopping, drinking, eating — all of the above — it’s only going to help us and the local economy. If it doesn’t happen then you know, we’re gong to lose a lot of really great small businesses.”
The Ship at 1221 Union Avenue in Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms greeted the lifting of the mask mandate enthusiastically.
“Hail Santa, the mask mandate has ended!” the restaurant and cocktail lounge posted in all caps on its Facebook page. “Our COVID vaccination requirement is over. All are welcome aboard. Please get your booster.”
The Ship also said on its website that it would no longer require masks or proof of COVID-19 vaccine. It added that “masks are always appreciated but not required.”
The Kansas City Symphony, which has performances this weekend, updated its vaccination and masking requirement on its website Thursday saying that proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required and masks are encouraged for all patrons, event staff and volunteers who enter the building to attend symphony performances at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
