Skip to Content

Local businesses in Yuma vs. mask mandate: do or don’t?

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 3.37.14 PM

News 11's Adonis Albright speaks with local businesses around town to see how they're handling the CDC's latest guidelines

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Many local businesses in Yuma have figured out how to implement individual mask mandates following Arizona Governor Doug Ducey's (R - Ariz.) executive order to let businesses decide whether to keep a mandate in place. A lot of businesses around town are starting to take down their signs that ask customers to wear a face covering.

Tecia Cox, the owner of Timeless Elegance Antiques and Collectibles on Main St. admits that at first, her store was lax about the mask requirements. Now that the Governor is letting business owners decide, Cox is happy it's optional for both customers and staff. Cox noted her shop hasn't seen an increase in foot traffic since the order came down, but it has been consistently busy.

“Business has been busy - even before - and I think because California has been so hard on the masks, and Arizona wasn’t mandatory, so maybe people are coming here to get out and go places."

Just a few doors down, Bare Naked Soap Co. tells News 11 that their business has had a challenging past year when it comes to asking customers to mask up. Primarily because their products are all about scents, from soaps to bath bombs and anything else in-between. But with COVID-19 cases consistently down in Yuma County and vaccinations up, the business feels comfortable welcoming the public with open arms.

"We are not requiring a mask to be worn, but what is occurring is that we often get many customers who come in with masks, and when that happens we have our mask ready to make them feel comfortable as well, we will put our masks on at that time. Otherwise we’re just pretty much maskless", said Deborah Foxford, the director of operations with Bare Naked Soap Co.

Foxford is also thanking the Yuma community for how gracious and understanding most of the general public has been when it comes to mask requirements, and rallying behind one another to keep the community at large safe.

The mask situation is different for restaurants around town, however. Most restaurants and cafes, like the Garden Cafe over on Madison Avenue, are encouraging people to mask up, but for the most part it's still optional. Since the cafe has outdoor seating, social distancing has been relatively easy. The owner, Debbie Gwynn, says her employees are still being asked to mask up.

“A lot of our staff has been vaccinated, we wear a mask to make our customers feel comfortable and it’s kind of up to them. We’re not going to stop them and go ‘oh my gosh you can’t come in’, absolutely not. So if they feel comfortable coming in, we feel comfortable with them coming in without a mask."

Gwynn hopes that heading into the fall, things will eventually be back to normal. News 11 also spoke with several customers and guests who said that they're comfortable eating and shopping around town now that masks are a personal choice.

Article Topic Follows: Yuma County

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Adonis Albright

Adonis Albright anchors the News 11 shows at 5 PM, 6 PM, and 10 PM.

If you have a great story idea, you can reach him at adonis.albright@kecytv.com.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content