With Harris County requiring all nonessential businesses to close through April 30, keeping staff employed has been an issue for Tomball-area business owners.

Salon on Main had to close its doors and let go of all its staff, owners David and Kalli Cardona said.


Harris County’s stay-at-home order initially slated for March 24-April 3 was extended until April 30, officials announced at a March 31 press conference, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.

“[Our employees have] all filed for unemployment,” the Cardonas said. “We are currently trying to find ways to keep the business expenses paid.”

The Cardonas said Salon on Main, located on West Main Street in Tomball, has applied for an advance on a Small Business Association loan, and they hope it comes through soon.



“If the shutdown continues and the SBA does not provide a loan to cover our operating expenses, we will most likely have to close the doors for good,” they said.

Bloomers Florist owner Doreen Gordy said she has been able to operate by only making deliveries, although the stay-at-home order has forced Gordy to shift how she operates her business.

“[Business] has definitely gone down some, but since we do deliver it has been better than I expected," she said. “We don't have the front of the shop open. ... It has been a little more difficult obtaining flowers this week.”

Gordy said a couple of her staff have been furloughed as the Tomball store works its way through this crisis.


“It has definitely affected our business,” Gordy said. “But right now we are hanging in there.”

Staff and family concerns are top of mind for Joanna Nguyen, co-owner of Paradise Tomball Nails & Spa in Tomball, as well.

“Having to close my business means we have lost a major part of our family's income,” she said in an email. “This is not only for me but for all of our staff as well.”

Nguyen said the business has had to furlough all its staff until it can reopen.


“I think our local government is doing a good job so far limiting the spread of the virus through stay-at-home and social distancing,” she said. “Our business is closed as a result, but the priority is our safety and health.”

To continue operating until businesses can reopen, Darrin Stringfield, co-owner of Comix Cafe in Tomball, said he has shifted his focus online.

“We have moved our venue online,” he said. “We are focused on building a community.”

Stringfield said usage on a Discord server, which functions as a messaging board for Comix Cafe, has grown by 25% to 30% since the business has shifted online. He said he hopes continuing to build on his customer base through the Discord server translating to more customers when Comix Cafe opens back up.


Since shifting to being an online business, Stringfield said all employees were furloughed until the store can open again.

Although items are available for sale on Comix Cafe’s website, Stringfield said special deals on exclusive comics are sent out on the Discord server.

“The best way to support us immediately is through the online store,” he said.