I always like to say Business Pulse is a reflection of society. It's a microcosm of greater America.

So when the world is talking about coronavirus, Business Pulse is too. The way I figure it, since this is all a hoax perpetrated by the media, I guess members of the media better talk about it.

No wait, coronavirus is a serious national emergency. I can't keep it straight.

One of my all-time favorite restaurants is taking bold steps to stop the potential spread of any illness in Warren County. Gondola owner Jimmy Zavogiannis has suspended his popular salad bar and hot bar which draws customers from far and wide, including me.

"It will probably hurt my business," admits Jimmy, "but sometimes there are things more important than money. If someone were to come in here with coronavirus and infect four other people, just look at what a domino effect that could have. We're trying to be proactive instead of reactive. I'd rather be the first to take this step than the last."

I'm a fan of the Gondola hot bar and salad bar, mainly because I like to eat a large volume of food. I've probably eaten an entire pizza off the bar in one sitting, along with some of that pea salad stuff, whatever it's called.

Jimmy estimates the bar is around 50 percent of his total business between breakfast and lunch. It's a big hit after church because the bar has something for everyone and it's convenient.

Jimmy says he knows some folks will be upset but he feels it's his duty to take action.

"When a virus is going around the way this one is, I feel we have to do something here locally. We have to do our part to keep it from spreading," said Jimmy. "People are going to react to a situation no matter what. So why not react beforehand? If it's something that will protect my customers and my employees then it's important to me. It's time to think about what's best for the community.

Jimmy says he doesn't believe the media is making too much of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives, interrupted international travel, and put an end to sports seasons.

"People say the media is overblowing this. Well I don't think the media is saying enough," said Jimmy. "What else have we seen that's paralyzed an entire country. Look at what's happening to Italy."

Italy has enacted stifling restrictions and had a horrible outbreak of the virus, including 196 deaths in just one day.

As of this writing, there have been no confirmed coronavirus patients in Warren County. I know there have been Facebook rumors, but I haven't heard of any official confirmation.

"Who knows what may happen," said Jimmy. "We can't take this lightly."

Anyone who wants a meat and two vegetables or a meat and three vegetables can still order it at Gondola and it will be delievered from the kitchen, not the buffet bar.

J's Restaurant at Three Star Mall has been very much aware of the coronavirus as well. Owner Junior Petit says he talked to the Health Department three times last week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is receiving constant guidance.

"As of this morning, from the best of my knowledge, there's no danger from the salad bar," said Junior, who indicated he's going to keep his popular salad bar open. "I started talking to the Health Department on Monday and I just talked to him this morning and he hasn't mentioned anything about it." 

I'd like to say there's no right or wrong way in handling this situation and I don't want anyone to think I'm taking sides. I admire Jimmy Z for wanting to do what's best for the community and I think Junior is also doing fine by leaving his salad bar open, especially with no confirmed cases in the county yet.

"We have been given a bunch of new recommendations which mainly involve a lot more cleaning," said Junior. "We're cleaning every hour. If one of my employees has a second and is not doing anything, then they're cleaning. We've also been advised to turn our dishwasher up to an even higher temperature."

The enormous

impact

It's hard to put your mind around the situation and determine just how large an economic impact coronavirus is going to have and exactly how much it's going to hurt financially.

WSMV News 4 in Nashville released information on Tuesday that indicated the city had already seen 99 conferences canceled resulting in 53,127 lost hotel room stays and $25.7 million in direct spending.

The scary thing is that story was released before the NHL hockey season was suspended and before the SEC Tournament was canceled.

Consider too, we're just talking about one city. When you multiply that throughout America and across the globe, you're really talking about a smothering impact.

Think about all the restaurants and honky tonks in downtown Nashville that thrive thanks in large part to more than 15,000 fans going to events at Bridgestone Arena. And think of Bridgestone Arena no longer selling its $8 Cokes.

Dream Reality Group just finished its production of "The Little Mermaid" over the weekend at Park Theater and director Logan Taylor said he was constantly asked about the musical.

"We had a bunch of people ask if we were going to cancel and some people who had already bought tickets wanted their money back," said Taylor. 

He indicated safety was a top concern and he said the theater seats were disinfected after every show in hopes of preventing the spread of any germs.

With everyone focused on being germ-free, there has been a mad run on hand sanitizer. Stores have sold out around town, leaving the folks at McMinnville Drug to create their own hand sanitizer.

McMinnville Drug reports it has sold its first five-pound batch and is almost through its second five pounds. More will be coming as the hand sanitizer will continue to be made as long as it's needed.

New store at

Three Star Mall

Bend the Trend Closet has opened its doors at Three Star Mall in the spot next to Shoe Sensation near the entrance to Roses. Last week was its first week.

"We have a lot more visibility here and we're happy about the foot traffic we're getting," said store employee Candace Roland who works there when she has free time from her other job at McMinnville Physical Therapy.

Bend the Trend Closet opened years ago in what I considered to be an awful retail location next to the underpass. It later moved downtown before finally finding a prime time spot at the mall.

"We're still looking for a few vendors so we can get the store really full," said Candace. "So many stores carry the same products so we're trying to provide something different."

Bend the Trend has adult and kids clothing, jewelry, decorative items, homemade soap, and baby pacifiers, just to name a few things I noticed.

The store has hours Wednesday thru Saturday. Candace says the hope is to do well at the mall and then expand to a larger storefront there when McMinnville Civic Center is finished and Parks and Recreations abandons some of its mall stores.

Bend the Trend is owned by Krista Fleming and Pat Garcia. If you'd like to be a vendor, call Krista at (931) 607-2497.

That's all folks

Email tips to editor@southernstandard.com.