Read the full interview with Dan Fraser:

Q: How has Dan & Whit’s adapted to the coronavirus?

Dan Fraser: “We do curbside pick up as well as delivery. Norwich fire department does all the deliveries in Norwich, and volunteers help deliver in Wilder and Hanover. In the beginning, we had no one in here—it was all curbside and delivery… In the last two weeks or so, we’ve flipped back. We continue to do the curbside and delivery, but now that the store is open, we require everyone who wants to come in and shop to wear a face mask. We’re following all current guidelines as they come out, and also have face shields, hand sanitizer, the works. It’s for the safety of other customers as well as employees.”

Q: I know you’ve had food trucks here and have worked to partner with other local businesses, can you tell me about that?

Dan: “Businesses here have been figuring out how we can help each other in this environment. We really try to support each other. We’ve had food trucks setup here at the store, and for a while that was the only way for people to get food. Before the Norwich Inn was able to serve food, they opened up their tables to anyone who bought food from the trucks, and would sell their beer. Bringing in all these businesses and partnering up to sell their goods and provide needed foods and services, it helps everyone stay afloat. We want to and need to do more of that for local businesses, whether they are in Norwich or outside of Norwich.”

Q: Is there anything else that you want everyone to know?

Dan: “Shopping locally and supporting local businesses is so important. Small local businesses are doing everything they can to keep customers safe, because they’re a part of your community. It could really change the footprint on Main Street, if consumers can come back to local, and not do the online thing.”