AUSTIN, Texas — In an effort to get the economy going again, Gov. Greg Abbott is relaxing some restrictions for certain businesses.

“Retail-to-go” is the first phase of re-opening the state's economy for businesses forced to close amid the pandemic. The practice goes into effect Friday and will allow retailers that were deemed non-essential to start doing business again.

The governor's order calls for limited contact with customers by using curbside pickup or delivery services and maintaining social distancing guidelines. But, the big change to a small business is not child’s play. 

“This has been pretty welcome news because this provides them an opportunity to at least open up, get some of their staff into their stores and start to be able to serve customers even on a to-go and pickup basis,” George Kelemen, president and CEO of the Texas Retailers Association, said.

Click the video above to watch Capital Tonight anchor Karina Kling’s full interview with Kelemen.

Young Texans do not have to curb their enthusiasm for some timeless toys— Terra Toys in North Austin is now offering curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“They cannot enter the building anymore which is heartbreaking for us because it’s one of the best ways to experience the toy store. What we did try to do, because we know you can't experience the toy store for yourself, is to help you experience it through us,” said general manager Sylvia Edwards.

Terra Toys employees are offering one-on-one shopping sessions through Facebook and Instagram. Employees answer questions there and send customers some photos and videos of toys they recommend.

Customers can then schedule a time for pickup and drive up to the storefront, while an employee comes out wearing gloves and face coverings. 

“Here, I prefer the personal interaction versus trying to do something on Amazon. They were helpful; I was able to get pictures and talk to them on Facebook,” customer Patience Worrel said while picking up an order curbside.

Staff is also updating social media with different kinds of toy demonstrations. For the first time in more than 40 years, the mom-and-pop shop on West Anderson Lane has an e-commerce site. Not all of the 80,000 plus toys that are available in store are online, but it has been curated to include staff favorites and toy bundles. The bundles include workbooks, activities, and toys that kids can use to apply the information they’re learning. 

Two of the toy bundles available on the new e-commerce site. (Courtesy: Sylvia Edwards)

“These are toys that we’ve put our heart and soul into picking and testing. Our focus is enabling the parents who have to work at home while the children are also working at home. I love the Mr. Rogers quote that said, ‘Play is the work of childhood.’ It really is true,” Edwards said. 

The bundles allow child to be independent longer and hopes to boost the development of children now that they are mostly home and doing distance learning. 

“Giving them something to do inside as well— something that takes a little bit longer— and, you know, helps them with their concentration because at home they have too many other distractions,” said customer Luisa Imsais while picking up items for her three children.

A Terra Toys employee bringing out an order to a customer waiting in a vehicle. (Spectrum News)

Terra Toys’s model is one retailers across Texas can adopt starting Friday under Abbott’s orders.

“I think the dividing line is definitely between those that are essential and non-essential,” Fleeter said. “Absolutely it’s been a financial strain. I think most of these businesses have done the best that they can to keep up with their employees, to keep them paid if they can. If they’ve had to furlough them, they do so but with the hope they can bring them back.”

Texas Department of State Health Services developed guidelines for businesses based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Employees must be trained on environmental cleaning and disinfection, screened for symptoms before coming into work, wear face coverings, and maintain six feet of separation from one another. 
• All payments should be done over the phone or internet if possible, and contact should be minimized if remote payment is not available.
• Purchased items should be delivered by the employee to the backseat or trunk of the customer’s car whenever possible to minimize physical contact with the customer. 
• Employees must wash or sanitize their hands after each interaction with a customer, and whenever possible, must disinfect any item that came into contact with the customer.

Local task forces are also forming across the state to restart regional businesses while honoring public safety priorities. Local leaders in Austin-Travis County are forming a new group and they said while a higher level of COVID-19 testing is needed, they have to identify ways to adapt.

Laura Huffman, president and CEO of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, is leading the task force which is made up of representatives from smaller local businesses like P. Terry's Burger Stand and Kerbey Lane Cafe, as well as larger companies like Dell and Samsung.

“The purpose of this is to provide clarity on when and how business is going to open up, but also to provide plenty of room for businesses to innovate. I think that one of the great challenges that's before us and it should be, it's a good challenge for this region, is what are those innovations that we have captured during this highly unusual time, and how do we keep them?” Huffman told Spectrum News. 

The task force's first meeting will be Friday. Bexar County put a similar task force together last week, made up of medical and public health experts.

RELATED | Some Texas Retailers Say Setting Up Curbside, Delivery Isn’t Easy

“You’ve seen those screens, for instance, at the grocery stores between you and the cashier. You’re going to see that more prevalent,” Kelemen said. “You’re going to see gloves and masks be a lot more prevalent and probably an enhanced focus on social distancing to make this process flow as easy as possible.”

Abbott is set to announce more details on restarting the state economy on Monday. Edwards said, for now, there is a lot of interest around curbside at Terra Toys and they are still working on delivery or shipping options. 

“We absolutely have no intention of just reopening the store, whether or not the governor says we can. I think the first thing that we have to take into consideration is the safety of our staff and then the safety of our customers,” she said.