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It’s been 871 days since New York sent all non-essential workers home to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In those days it was a struggle for each and every business in downtown Albany to survive.
Covid-19 isn’t keeping people at home – and the new wave of work-from-home is threatening the future of businesses that rely on public and private sector workers.
13 The Investigators’ Stella Porter spoke with several downtown businesses about the new normal.
13 Investigators began asking questions from a business owner at a commerce plaza after a Facebook message was disturbed. He told 13 investigators that his business in downtown Albany and business districts across the U.S. is facing a mountain of uncertainty.
Gone was the old familiar smell of newsprints, hurried footsteps, hurried voices in Emil’s newsroom convenience store.
“We see our customers every day, they’re the same customers, and they become our personal friends, you know?” said Anthony Farina.
The Farina Family Store is a one-stop shop for busy morning commuters. His family has been nurturing that special American morning rush for 50 years.
“They found the opportunity in this wonderful government office building that started as a newspaper and magazine store in 1972,” Farina explained.
His grandfather Emil originally ran the business, which is still located in One Commerce Plaza. It is steps from the Capitol and home to a few government offices.
Years ago, Anthony’s father took over. And now it must be Anthony’s turn.
“I’ve always seen myself running our family business, which has always been successful. That always kept our family afloat. The future doesn’t look rosy,” he said.
In the year As the morning rush of 2020 grinds to a halt, thanks to Covid—so does business.
The faces they make at Emile in the morning are skipping lotto tickets and making their own breakfast.
“If you haven’t seen them two years ago, they’re going to be weird and it makes me sad,” Farina said.
New York is no longer locked down. But not all workers returned to the office; Not by a long shot. Farina estimates that he and his father lost about half of their customers.
“The problem is our profit margin is at 100%, so 50% of the customer base doesn’t cut it,” he said.
Not sure if the morning rush will come back, or when. Farina worries she may be the last generation to own the family business.
“I don’t know, if this future is 50% domestic, it’s going to kill us. I am worried. I am scared about my future. I have two children, I might need a job soon,” he said.
The absence of office staff is felt throughout the entire block.
Other businesses downtown are asking the same question—will customers return?
“If we can get an answer from someone, who knows, is there an end date?” asked MaryEllen Dibiase. She, her husband and their son own Cafe One Eleven next door to Emil.
For the past 22 years, she has served people on their workdays.
“We may be egging you on, but we’re still chatting about how your life is, not just hellos and hellos,” she said.
DiBiase says that without the generosity of her landlord, Cafe One Eleven would have had to close.
Cafe Eleven, another location near the private business park, is facing similar problems. That location opened during the outbreak, and DiBiase said it was scary at first when there was no foot traffic.
She and Farina are clear they don’t want to alienate civil servants, who form their large client base.
Both say they understand the benefits of working from home. But Farina says the current situation is about more than losing a face-to-face relationship or his future. He says we’ve lost something distinctly American.
“I don’t believe America was built for everyone to work from home,” he said.
What’s in store for Anthony and Maryellen? 13 Investigators spoke with the City of Albany and an expert who said the days of 100% in-person work may be over. But they do have some advice on how to deal with the future of business. That segment of the 13 Investigators report will air Thursday on News Channel 13.
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