It’s been roughly nine months since the pandemic started.

After a shutdown in the spring, businesses and restaurants that survived had a chance to briefly open back up. But orders and regulations were changing by the day or even by the hour.

Now, in December, Gov. Tom Wolf put Pennsylvania businesses owners and employees in another tough position with another shutdown lasting through at least Jan. 4.

Local business owners are looking for a way to help out their employees over the next few weeks.

“We’re constantly saying what are we going to do now,” said Kate McEvilly, owner of Hofford Mill in Lehighton.

“We opened in February, we were only open for six weeks, and then we shut down. Then we switched to groceries and we started to reopen again. This year is maybe what a business would go through in the course of 10 years, we’re doing it all in one year.”

McEvilly has proactively found other ways to adapt during the pandemic.

“I knew someone else that was doing bulk buys and I also saw what was going on in the grocery stores,” McEvilly said. “Just these unpleasant environments; it’s not every store, but people were confused, had to follow signs and were getting yelled at.

“They just wanted to get what they needed for their house. We created a whole new page on our site. People were able to go online and pick up once a week. We tried to cover most of the basics.”

Hofford Mill is still selling groceries and household items online. But now, the Hofford Mill team wants to spread the holiday spirit.

If you’re crunched for time, lazy or just a bad “wrapper,” bring your gifts to the Mill and have the staff take care of it. They’ll be gift wrapping this weekend from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Donations are voluntary. Visit the Hofford Mill Facebook page and send a message for more information.

“We’re just trying to come up with some ways to help our staff out, but also give people something in exchange,” said McEvilly. “I know some places are openly asking for donations and we wanted to do something a little bit different. I know it’s the holidays and there are people who don’t like to wrap gifts.

“We had a handful of people that were interested, and I thought, what do we have to lose? It’s good to get the staff together too, we enjoy working together. It’s not an easy industry to work in, but I really have a great team.”

In Tamaqua, WHEEL Restaurant owner Savas Logothetides is looking out for his staff.

“When the shutdown came about, I obviously am truly concerned for my team members as well as the restaurant,” Logothetides said. “I thought maybe it would work if we donate a percent of the gift card sales, instead of giving it to the guest, we put it to the pot for all of the team members. And then we disperse it with their paychecks.”

Logothetides posted a Facebook video about it which caught over 25,000 views and 500 shares. Gift card orders and donations came in from all over the country.

“There was a lot of real generous support for both the restaurant and the team,” Logothetides said.

“Ultimately, we were able to donate, through the generosity of our guests, $3,000 to the 41 team members that we currently have between both locations.

“I’d like to think that WHEEL and its team is known for being involved and helping the community. I think that both communities realize that, and when we needed them, they stepped up to the plate.”

The WHEEL is still selling gift cards and offering online ordering, delivery, takeout and curbside pickup.

“I sincerely appreciate the support of both communities (Tamaqua and Pottsville). I would say that it is unexpected if it was, but frankly, the way that both these communities that support their small business and the people that work at the small business isn’t surprising.”

We’re just trying to come up with some ways to help our staff out, but also give people something in exchange.

Kate McEvilly

The Hofford Mill