Counting around a dozen small businesses in his name, Todd Antrobus said only a couple of his operations remain open at this time. “Here? I’ve seen an 80 percent drop in revenue,” he said, taking a seat behind the quiet bar next to Henri’s Market & Deli in Olive Hill.
He cites the amount of business recorded one recent day at Henri’s as a a total “that I’d do in 10 minutes on a busy day.”
Across the street at The Drive-In, Antrobus reports the slowdown has not been quite as bad. “I would say it is at 65 percent below normal. And the same for the two food trucks.”
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| In addition to custom- sliced cheeses and meats and a full menu, Henri’s also offers a proprietary roast by Goose Bridle Coffee Roasters. |
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| The team at Henri’s will increasingly be using social media posts to let patrons know about special offers and discounts. |
Along with his wife, Wanda, Antrobus owns four tanning salons, two women’s clothing boutiques, a pharmacy in Tennessee, Stylish Stitches in downtown Olive Hill and a real estate company, Finley Properties. He was launching another small business specializing in medical equipment, Bluegrass DME, but had to put the brakes on it.
Losing count, he shook his head slightly and concluded “Eight of the ten had to be shut down.”
“And, we opened another pharmacy in Stanton, Kentucky,” he added.
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| Discussing options for additional developments inside. |
After taking time to get his own property properly situated for a long-term situation, Antrobus focused his attentions on ways to do business in the days ahead.
At Henri’s, for example, staff members began preparing meal packages such as chuck roast and rotisserie chicken specials geared toward feeding families, as well as “fresh, never frozen” ground beef and ready-to cook chicken by the pound in addition to fresh-cut ribeye steak. There’s also a nice, new sign installed by the boulevard to better guide visitors to the entrance.
Antrobus said he also took a fresh look at the building and decided to take better advantage of the space, developing plans for increased capacity inside as well as providing easier access for customers in cars.
“The next space over was used for refrigeration and shelves, but it works well for a drive through,” he said, grinning as he added “I just cut the window in Tuesday!”
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| The new drive-through |
For hours, menu and other information about Henri’s Market & Deli, visit their Facebook page or call 606-315-2340.
Story and Photos by TIM PRESTON
Carter County Post