Utah Small Businesses Flex Muscles During Pandemic Recovery
Mar 29, 2021, 2:12 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
Central Park Pet Retreat nearly shut down during the pandemic economic downturn. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah– New data from the U. S. Census Bureau indicated a majority of small businesses in Utah are on their way to recovering from the pandemic.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest Small Business Pulse Survey said three in five small businesses in Utah fully recovered from the pandemic or are on the path to full recovery by the fall.
Nationally, seven in 10 businesses could be fully up to speed in that same time frame and 45% have already started to operate at pre-pandemic levels.
Central Park Pet Retreat in Salt Lake City was one of the hard-hit small businesses.
Central Park Pet Retreat (KSL TV)
Owner Jackie Hansen said the shop came very close to shutting down for good.
“I think our lowest points, I think we had two employees and two cats, but we stayed open,” Hansen said.
It’s not just pet stores, a local economist said, in general, mom-and-pop shops in Utah are making a strong comeback.
“Despite these challenges, Utah’s businesses have shown incredible resilience,” said Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank economist.
Some industries like construction, trade and finance-related fields have even grown during the last year.
Utah has the second-lowest rate of unemployment in the country, behind only South Dakota.
