“It’s tough right now,” said Gary Gill, owner of Crown Palaza Banquet Center on Central Avenue. “I got no business at all. None.”
Those who manage other Butler County banquet facilities have either had events cancelled, postponed or modified to reduce the capacity. But some are seeing action.
Hannah Johnson, wedding sales manager at Centre Park of West Chester, located inside the Holiday Inn, said there were two wedding receptions there last weekend on Friday and Sunday.
“Things are picking up,” she said.
She said Centre Park “discourages” buffets because the food must be served by staff members, has eliminated fruit and cheese trays typically offered and reduced the occupancy of the ballroom. She said staff members wear masks and gloves, sanitation stations are located throughout the ballroom and guests must maintain social distancing.
Dan Goebel, chairman of Receptions Event Centers & Monastery Event Center in southwest Ohio, postponed 60 events right after the coronavirus restrictions were announced. Goebel, who owns four Receptions with locations in Fairfield, Loveland, Western Hills and Erlanger, Ky., said 90 percent of the events were rescheduled, and once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, additional staff will be needed.
Even though Gov. Mike DeWine never shut down visitations and funerals, he restricted gatherings of more than 10 people and that impacted the funeral business.
Ron Spaulding, owner of Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home in Middletown, said the size of funerals is starting to increase as more people feel comfortable in public. Still, he said, the mourners are encouraged to wear masks and most comply.
As another safety measure, Spaulding purchased a “misting process” that sanitizes and disinfects the funeral home, he said.
“It was a whole new era for us,” said Spaulding, who has been in the funeral business for 40 years. “We had to be very flexible and adjust.”
The same can be said for those who lost a loved one, he said. During the early stages of the coronavirus, most funerals were reserved for family members only as larger celebrations were postponed.
“We make sure the family gets what they want,” he said. “We are here to support the families and services they need."
Brian Flick, from Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home in Hamilton, said he has had one or two “normal”-sized funerals, but most have been much smaller.
He said things are “loosening up,” then added he’s concerned about the recent spike in coronavirus cases.
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