Mount Dora downtown businesses looking to rebound after hard hit from pandemic shut down

MOUNT DORA, Fla. — The charming downtown streets of Mount Dora turned into a ghost town after many shops were forced to close during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in the area.

"It's been very eerie," said Susan Nemec, with Ashely’s Flags & Sports Shoppe.

Nemec said she was fortunate that her business was able to stay open mostly because she was able to keep masks in stock.

READ: First COVID-19 drive-thru testing site opens in Lake County

But she said everyone’s business is down.

Lisa Winslow, the owner of Home and Garden Treasures in downtown Mount Dora, said she was able to reopen her store on Monday for the first time in a month.

She said the past few weeks have been tough.

“A nightmare, scary, really scary,” she said. “Hurricane season is bad enough when you’re closed for a few days, but a month. How are you supposed to pay your invoices? How are you supposed to pay your rent? How are you supposed to pay your mortgage?”

But business owners said with retails shops able to open up with limited capacity, they’re hopeful that business will pick back up slowly but surely.

VIDEO: Meet Anthony, the Mt. Dora produce guy The Lake County produce stand on Old U.S. 441 offers fresh produce to customers hesitant to go the grocery store during the coronavirus pandemic.

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