By Lisa Carolin
The economic effects of Covid 19 are being felt hard by businesses in Chelsea. Chelsea Update is talking to individual business owners in the area to see how they are coping.
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According to founder Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company was one of the first businesses to shut down when the pandemic hit. Daniels took the stage of his home studio April 27 to do a live concert to raise money for the theatre.
Daniels, who founded the theatre in 1991, said everything at the theatre is on stand-by until it’s safe to resume productions.
The theatre is using a rolling timeline, which will depend on the state’s executive orders as to when people can gather in groups again.
“We want our patrons to feel safe and secure coming back to The Purple Rose,” said Katie Hubbard, managing director of The Purple Rose Theatre. “We may open “Paint Night” by Carey Crim as early as June (if possible) or you may see that timeline pushed to July or August, even September depending on how well we are flattening the curve and preventing further spread of COVID-19.”
She says that patrons and donors supported Daniels’ concert with donations and have been checking in to see what they can to do help support The Purple Rose. She suggests keeping up with social media posts and even buying a gift card for a future ticket.
How does Hubbard predict the Theatre will emerge from the pandemic?
“The Purple Rose has a strong, loyal patron and donor base after nearly 30 years in Chelsea,” said Hubbard. “We will do everything we can make sure people feel safe, welcome, and continue to provide world-class American theatre.”
Hubbard wishes the same for all of Chelsea’s local businesses.
“We need one another,” she said. “Purple Rose patrons eat at all of our local restaurants, coffee shops, and enjoy shopping at our amazing downtown boutiques.”
