The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of American’s everyday lives. One of the most plagued: small businesses.

Around the country the small business revenue stream has been halted as states continue to extend stay-at-home orders across the country. More and more small businesses shut down every day.
As early as April 7th, all but five states in the United States were included in a stay-at-home orders through their own state governments. The orders forced all  Americans, healthy or unhealthy,  to remain in place until the US could slow down the progression of the deadly virus.

Many American’s haven’t agreed with the ruling.  In many states, including Michigan and California, protestors have taken the streets in large gatherings with the purpose of ignoring social distancing in hopes of convincing the government to open back up.

While many businesses have been forced to shut their doors, forcing millions of employees to apply for unemployment, many states have allowed businesses to remain open if they are deemed an “essential” business.

These businesses can include grocery stores, pharmacies and even bait shops.

Harts Landing is a local bait shop located underneath the John Ringling Causeway in Sarasota, Florida where locals can purchase bait and snacks before enjoying a day out on the water.

Despite a worldwide pandemic, fishermen are still coming out looking to enjoy one of the few outdoor activities they can engage in.

“(Business) is certainly down but we have adapted a little bit,” explained Hart’s Landing General Manager, Sherman Baldwin.

“Like following some very stringent COVID mitigation techniques like wearing masks and cleaning public surfaces off.” Baldwin continued.

On April 13th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis deemed bait shops, in addition to restaurants, emergency services, and even the WWE, as essential businesses in the state.

Sherman Baldwin wasn’t surprised that his local bait shop was included in the list.

“We let the politicians be that were deciding these things. We were reminding them how important fishing is for people and their food.”

Even local fishermen find it essential. Daniel Ortiz is originally from Denver and says fishing serves as a perfect activity, especially when he can’t visit the beach.

An Indiana native, Floyd Johnson, finds fishing important for other reasons.

“Well, first of all, I love to fish, something that Minnesota and Michigan cannot do at this time. It gets me away from my wife and kids. I enjoy fishing.”

While fishing continues to be a business that thrives during the pandemic, Baldwin believes it is also an industry that will be changed following the pandemic.

“The world is changing and it’s never going to be the same again” explained Baldwin.

“ I am impressed about how people have adapted. How businesses have adapted and I think when we start opening up and rolling out our other businesses… we will do so with adapting to this world we live in.”

As May rolls around and businesses deemed not essential are given permission to reopen their doors, managers like Sherman Baldwin look forward to this new future that the public will live in.

As for what the workers at Hart’s Landing have missed most during the pandemic, front desk worker Dan DuCey kept it simple.

“I miss sushi. Man, what I would give for some sushi.”