Edge of Urge in downtown Wilmington closed its doors to customers Monday in the name of social distancing, but customers are being encouraged to shop online, on top of a number of other initiatives to keep things rolling as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact local businesses.

Some small businesses in the Wilmington area, like Edge of Urge, a clothing and accessory store, are considering alternate plans as consumer demand is shifting. Meanwhile, others are already seeking help to lessen the financial impact the pending disruption the coronavirus could have on sales and foot traffic.

Both Edge of Urge stores in Wilmington and Raleigh are closed, Jess Oxendine, Edge of Urge’s Wilmington store manager, said Monday.

“We don’t know when we will reopen,” Oxendine said. “We’re really, as I’m sure many businesses are, just trying to figure out what we can do to still stay afloat and keep people safe.”

Although Edge of Urge has shut its physical location at 18 Market St., the business is using different ways to encourage its online orders. The store is offering free shipping on domestic orders and offering pick at its doorstep or porch deliveries within a reasonable distance from the downtown location, Oxendine said.

And more moves to keep the business going may be coming.

“We're just making decisions as the time goes on,” Oxendine said, adding that the store will push updates on its Instagram.

Communications have already started at the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington on small business loans in the wake of the virus.

A presumptively positive case emerged in Brunswick County at the end of last week. There had been no confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. Monday of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in New Hanover County, but the state had 33 cases as Monday afternoon, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some SBTDC clients have already been in contact about the coronavirus and the SBA disaster loan process, said Heather McWhorter, regional director of the SBTDC, located at 803 S. College Road, Suite A in Wilmington at UNCW’s campus.

​The SBTDC at UNCW serves Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Onslow, Pender and New Hanover counties, and is connected with the UNCW Cameron School of Business.

“Mostly they’re responding.” McWhorter said, “because they know their sales are going to drop and so they are trying to get ahead of it by applying for a federal loan, but what we have to do on our side is map out the drop in sales."

She added that as of Monday, it was still too early for North Carolina businesses to apply for the economic injury disaster loan.

McWhorter encouraged small businesses to go to the SBTDC website for information or email the organization at [email protected].

“We’re here to help small businesses in our community with continuity planning and helping them to get access to capital,” she said.

Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday requested that the SBA grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the coronavirus, according to a news release. The governor declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

If granted, the SBA’s declaration would provide disaster loans to impacted businesses to help fulfill financial obligations and operating expenses, stated the release.

There are several other resources for businesses in the wake of the coronavirus. 

And the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has sent out a survey to assess assisting businesses in preparation for the coronavirus.

It recently sent out a survey to gauge how businesses are preparing for or managing the impacts of the virus and what resources might be needed in response. The survey can be taken by members online.

“The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide resources to chamber members throughout the coronavirus pandemic via email, in our weekly newsletter and through the business advocacy work we do,” said Megan Mullins, vice president of marketing and communication the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, in an email Monday.

The chamber also plans to be active in spotlighting member businesses using its social media channels, she said.

“Our first Digital Chamber Connections was hosted on Facebook Live today,” she said. “Members can expect more innovation like this from us as we navigate through this situation.”

Julia's Florist Owner and President Dana Cook has already started implementing her "Plan B" at her flower arrangement and delivery shop, located at 900 S. Kerr Ave. 

The floral shop is including alcohol swabs and a message to customers about the extra precautions the firm is taking because of the virus. 

"It's just a little extra confidence that all is well, doing business with Julia's Florist," Cook said. 

She is also taking precautions with employees, having their temperature taken before clocking in, as well as watching for symptoms.

Cook said she is working on a plan to deal with a situation where the business would have to close for a time, finding ways to take care of her 18-member full-time staff and salaries.

"I am battling with the same dilemmas that so many business owners are battling with; that, [what] if we do find that we have the virus here?" Cook said.

Because the business is a delivery-driver service, Cooks said that there is, however, an advantage to being able to provide services to her customers.

Along with conducting business as normal as much as possible, Cook said she is also finding ways, with any lull in business, to give back to the community. The business has already signed on to help SkyWatch Bird Rescue in Castle Hayne with using its delivery trucks to bring food to the organization, which helps rehabilitate wildlife.

“I’m just trying to be very, very prepared," Cook said. "I don’t like surprises and I’m doing everything in my power to eliminate them.”

The plan B at the SBDTC is to meet virtually online, McWhorter said, adding, "what we do across the desk can be on the computer." 

Should the UNCW location close, McWhorter said she has an alternate location in the community to meet.

“People should continue to support the small businesses in our community as they can, whether it's buying a gift card or … shopping at an online retail outlet. We just have to keep things going while we’re staying at our social distances,” McWhorter said.