Shelly Gurney's gardening store could close permanently due to the effects of the coronavirus. She has three employees.
Shelly Gurney's gardening store could close permanently due to the effects of the coronavirus. She has three employees.
With the stay-at-home order extended to April 30, the fate of Shelly Gurney's garden store is uncertain.
According to Michigan Captial Confidential, on April 2, state police delivered a cease-and-desist letter to Grow Masters, which sells gardening and hydroponic supplies, saying the store had violated the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order. The order "prohibits any person or entity from operating a business or conducting operations that require workers to leave their homes or places of residence, except to the extent those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct basic minimum operations.”
Gurney thought her business would be covered under the agricultural provision of the order and says she talked to someone at the state level who assured her of this. She has since worked with the Menominee prosecutor and is able to sell gardening products on a curbside-pickup basis. She started limiting access to her store two days before the governor issued the executive order.
Gurney said if closing her store is what's required, she will abide by the policy. “I want this whole community to be safe,” she said. “I’m just trying to help keep my employees employed.”
Gurney said she is unsure whether or not she will apply for business loans offered in the coronavirus relief package.
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