The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 9, 20 20 | 8 FULL-SERVICE RETIREMENT HOME 905-877-1800 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown www.mountainviewresidence.com Seniors enjoy an independent lifestyle with comfortable accommodations, personal care and other supportive services. Retirement living can be the best of times when you live in an atmosphere of comfort and family caring. Mountainview Residence Of Georgetown 330 GUELPH ST.,GEORGETOWN (opposite Canadian Tire) 905-877-0596 • www.millersscottishbakery.com Easter Hours: OPEN Sat Apr 11 9:30am - 6pm CLOSED Good Fri Apr 10, Easter Sun Apr 12 & Mon Apr 13 BRITISH EASTER EGGS & TREATS ARE HERE WE ARE OPEN TO SERVE YOU DURING THESE TRYING TIMES! Hot Cross Buns Are Here for Easter! Baked from our traditional British recipe. Breads, Rolls, Pastries & More GET YOUR EASTER BAKED GOODS TODAY! Extra health precautions are in place. If you have any questions please call us. We Have British CheesesGET YOUR EASTER BAKED MILLER'S ScottISh BakERy Dental Implants It feels great to smile with Available here... New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com • Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994. globeproductions.ca Please stay safe! Your friends at . . . for our Health Care Heroes! CLAP YOUR HANDS the personal emergency response benefit. "I just can't wait to get back to work," she added. "I really enjoy what I do and miss my clients." For Tina De Crisci, who owns and operates Oak- ville's Duran Place for Kids with husband Clau- dio Duran -- a family busi- ness that supports their five children and foster child -- the financial strain of the forced closure is very real. "Our income is nothing now, and we have a full household that we need to provide for," she said. "All of our pennies are wrapped up in this (busi- ness)." The children's activity centre was already strug- gling as the extensive road reconstruction in down- town Oakville continues, deterring customers. And like other owners of new small businesses, the local couple are un- sure if they'll qualify for any of the government re- lief measures that have been announced, as they may not meet the criteria of payroll minimums, etc. Unable to make rent for the first time, Duran Place has now turned to Go- FundMe with a goal to raise $97,000, which would be used to cover their busi- ness rent for the foresee- able future during the pan- demic. So far, they've raised about $15,000. "It has been humbling to see this response," noted De Crisci. "We just want to weather the storm and still be here at the end of all this." In Burlington, new business owner Marco Ro- drigues finds himself in a similar position. The res- taurant he operates with partner Gio Falbo, called Chop & Wop, has been closed for weeks as their fine dining menu doesn't lend itself to takeout or- ders. While they just reached the establishment's one- year anniversary, the cou- ple isn't celebrating, but rather contemplating whether or not the pan- demic closure will put them out of business forev- er. "We personally put $350,000 into that restau- rant -- our entire life sav- ings, and all the equity from selling our dream home," he said. "It was quite a bit of sacrifice to bring our dream to reality, and at this rate we may not be able to reopen." The pair had to lay their staff off, and like Duran Place, they don't believe they'll be eligible for relief funding or loans as Rodri- gues says it can be chal- lenging for new business- es to meet the criteria. He noted Chop & Wop may qualify for the 75 per cent emergency wage sub- sidy, but it would be diffi- cult for the restaurant to cover the remaining 25 per cent. "That's a hefty bill when there's no income coming in," he said. For details on the vari- ous relief programs that have been introduced by the federal government and how to apply, visit canada.ca. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We wanted to get a clear picture of how the pandemic is financially impacting local residents and spoke with a variety of small business owners across Halton to find out. NEWS Continued from page 3 FINANCIAL PRESSURES MOUNTING FOR MANY Troy Newton, owner of the popular Milton restaurant Troy's Diner, has been forced to temporarily close his diner and catering business. Graham Paine/Torstar