When Chicago businesses saw citywide shutdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, Eric Kugelman says that he “went into shock.”
Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed in Andersonville, remarks that the usual personalized customer service of the store has suffered as a result of social distancing.
“We’re still providing education, obviously, but it’s a little different in that we don’t have that group of people who are using us as a place to learn solely, as opposed to just, you know, coming in and buying stuff,” she says. “So I miss that. I think that it’s what has to happen right now; we have to really focus on people who are coming in to buy something.”
While adult retailers are still finding their footing in regard to adapting to the pandemic, Figueroa says that access to exploring one’s sexuality is crucial during an ever-tumultuous time.
