Home Repair Workers Adapt To Changing World Across Orange County
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Business has been steady for the Lock Shop in Laguna Beach, and in the time of coronavirus that's almost all anyone can ask for. It has been a roller coaster since March, when California shut down, owner Sandi Federico tells Patch.
The coronavirus pandemic struck in March and caught the world off-guard. Forced to shut down and establish safety protocols to keep their doors open. Many, including personal care service workers, were forced to stop working indefinitely. Others, such as home repair workers, were forced to change the way they do things in order to keep others safe.
"We're doing good now," Federico tells Patch, "but it was real slow in April and May."
The Lock Shop has been in Laguna Beach since 1962. Federico took over the business in 1995, after moving to south Orange County. Now a full-time Laguna Beach resident, she has watched her business clients close and lock their doors for the last time as a result of the coronavirus closures.
Federico's business has shifted primarily to work with the city, and with individual residents.
"Business is starting to return to normal," she tells us, "but we are working closely with many Laguna families."
In order to maintain a feeling of safety, when you hire Laguna Lock Shop, you'll be attended by a worker wearing a mask, and taking safety precautions, she says.
Part of the governor's orders for home repair workers is to don masks before entering someone's home, and to engage in sanitization techniques— all designed to both keep their clients safe and keep themselves employed.
For the Lock Shop, those techniques are working.
"People have been very kind," she tells us. "Our workers wear masks, the customers let us come on inside. Everyone seems to want things to return to normal."
In the days before, the Laguna Lock Shop would also aid in rekeying after evictions, though no one is being evicted these days.
"It's good," she tells us. Federico would much rather help newcomers to Laguna Beach rekey their homes than lock anyone out, especially now.
The Laguna Lock Shop makes a habit of offering free keys for new-move-ins, she says. The act of goodwill helps neighbors feel safe and welcomed into their new digs.
If you need your home, safe, or car re-keyed, call 949-494-8998 to learn more.
Are you a home repair worker or business owner in Orange County?
Have you had a home repair and want to share your experience?
Patch wants to hear from you. Email your Patch editor or share your observations in comments.
This article originally appeared on the Laguna Beach Patch
