July Operational Update - 07/13 - 07/31
New Farmville Store Operations for July 07/14 - 07/31
Tues -Thurs = Curbside Pick Up by Appt for Orders placed Online or over the Phone. Virginia Deliveries. US Shipping.
Friday - Saturday = Restrictive In Store Shopping. Must wear Mask.
Sunday - Monday = Closed
One thing to keep in mind:
We are a small, family business and take the input of our staff to heart when navigating these interesting times. We are doing our best through this disruptive moment in history. Our procedures have allowed us to stay open for these last 4 months while many retailers and manufacturers were forced to close. We have had several close calls, yet have avoided any COVID positive cases in our ranks. Were COVID to sweep into our operation it would shut us down. We are a small business. So the precautions we take are to protect ourselves, to protect you and to stay open for business.
Right now, we are selling out of kayaks and canoes faster than we can get them in stock. Our supply chains have been drastically disrupted with most of our major kayak manufacturers operating on a 1-2 month wait time to fulfill orders. Because of the high demand and the inability to resupply readily, we cannot do demoes at this time. We just don’t have the available models to offer demos.
We’ve had about 5% of our customer base ask for the ability to shop in-store to physically see the differences in product. We understand your desire. We have opened up our accessories showroom, and the front warehouse showroom to in store shopping on Friday and Saturday. Our Hampton Store will open for walk in customers as well, though they will restrict the amount of customers in the shop at one time. Customers must wear a mask to enter these areas.
The mask as a shield:
[Asked why it was dishonorable to return without a shield and not without a helmet, the Spartan king, Demaratos (510 - 491) is said to have replied: “Because the latter they put on for their own protection, but the shield for the common good of all.” (Plutarch, Mor.220)“]
I assure you that we can also talk you through the limited options we have left on our 800-442-4837 phone lines while walking you through the choices on our website. We are down to our lowest inventory levels in decades, and selling out of stuff by the hour. We encourage customers shopping online to buy a product if you see it available online, as that is the most accurate inventory for our Farmville Store. We do still oversell stuff on occasion but have been making every effort to avoid that issue.
A final message from our GM, Vince:
"It’s crazy that it’s only been 4 months since we closed our doors to in store shopping. We’ve been very fortunate in our ability to stay open ( curbside / delivery / shipping ) selling products folks can use to social distance and get outside. The interesting part is that we’ve become so much more efficient in our business with the SOPs we’ve had to introduce during COVID. It’s now the opening of our doors for in store shopping, though restrictive, that now brings apprehension. A feeling so far removed from the apprehension we ha4 months ago when we “closed” them. Please be patient with us and understand that the decisions we've made and continue to make are driven by our love of supplying paddlesports gear and our love for our staff.
We have been very fortunate and thank you all."
Much love to you all 
