Some businesses are beginning to bounce back in Forest County, but others are still struggling as people are choosing recreation and vacation activities closer to home this summer.
Robin Corapi, the administrative assistant at the Forest County Community and Economic Development office, said “we are seeing people coming to their camps or taking day trips instead of going to Disneyland or somewhere like that for vacation.”
With more people staying close to home, Corapi said businesses that sell home improvement products are doing well.
Pool installation businesses are also busy, she said.
As many people choose recreation close to home, items such as bikes have become scarce and are hard to find.
“You can’t find bikes, swing sets, pools or canoes,” Corapi said.
Corapi also noted that the Market Village in downtown Tionesta is open Fridays through Sundays.
But Corapi said other businesses are still being significantly affected by the coronavirus.
Restaurants, which are now allowed to seat 50% of their capacity after only being allowed to do takeout for many weeks, are still struggling, Corapi said.
“Another group of people really hurting are artisans and those types of businesses that either make extra income at festivals or rely on festivals for their income,” Corapi said.
She noted that both Art on the Allegheny and the Tionesta Indian Festival have been canceled this year.