Dave Duda takes the long view on pandemic business survival.
You wouldn’t expect to hear that from a small-business owner talking about the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Duda founded and has run Book Trader Cafe (where he’s pictured above) near the corner of Chapel and York for 22 years. He’s a survivor: He started out as one of five used bookstores in town. As he grew his business by branching out to web sales, fun events (like this 20th anniversary costume party), and a cafe with a tasty literary-themed menu (sample sandwiches: Tale of Two Turkeys, The Tempesto, Hamingway & Cheese, Schmear & Loathing in Las Vegas), the other four stores closed.
Now he’s applying his survival skills to Covid-19. He offered details Wednesday during an interview on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven.”
Duda closed up shop on March 16 in the hope of helping to “flatten the curve” on the pandemic in town. He did not continue offering take-out: He felt it would be impossible for employees to work safely in the cramped kitchen. He didn’t do curbside book sales (though he has seen an uptick in online sales).
“I’m not willing to risk [employees’] lives for a little extra income,” he said. “Would you take out a second mortgage rather than risk your kids’ lives?
Plus, all 16 of Book Trader’s employees are able to make more money than before because they qualify for federally turbocharged unemployment benefits. That’s because he paid them fully on the books, Duda said, a practice not all eateries follow. Those who paid employees fully or partially off the books — and who want to help their employees weather the pandemic — face a choice he doesn’t: Resume some operations so they can make money, but at risks to their lives? Or leave them without enough income to pay rent or buy food, since they won’t receive enough unemployment?
Duda also questioned the government’s decision to move forward with reopenings. “It is just not possible” to operate a small kitchen like his safely right now, he said. Plus, “I don’t know where I would get flour. There’s not a lot around.” Not to mention masks or hand sanitizer. Or Covid-19 tests.
“I can hold out,” he said. The earliest he can see reopening in some form would be late June, depending on the status of the coronavirus’s spread.
It has also helped that his landlord, Yale University Properties, is forgiving the rent while businesses are closed.
Book Trader survived a tough time for independent bookstores in the ‘90s, when chains put many small competitors out of businesses. Then it rode the wave of the growth of community-connected indies over the past decade.
Duda said he’s optimistic those trends will continue once the pandemic passes. He offers two reasons: People have come to appreciate more than ever the value of gathering face to face in community spaces, and “people are spending more time reading and relaxing,” developing bookish habits that he believes will outlive the virus.
One big factor for medium-term success: Whether or not Yale reconvenes in the fall and brings thousands of potential customers back to campus.
Even on that question, Duda isn’t fretting.
“Sure, I would love to have them back,” he said. But “it’s not going to help anybody if a bunch of people get sick and have to leave again.” A second wave of closures precipitated by a hasty first-wave reopening could cause more long-term damage to the economy, he argued. Better to sit tight and ride out the first wave.
Preferably with a good book in hand.
Click on the video below for the full interview with Book Trader Cafe’s Dave Duda on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven.”
Is Yale forgive the rent, or forbearing on summary process and giving tenants longer to pay? Earlier, I had heard forbearance . Regardless, Yale doesn't own these properties to make money, it owns them to control its environment. Evicting viable tenants is counter to that purpose. Academics love used bookstores.