Downtown El Reno looks very different.

Parking lots are empty, as are the sidewalks. Very few cars are parked on the streets in front of storefronts.

Between the somewhat recent bust in the energy industry and now the fallout from COVID-19, a serious toll has been taken on El Reno’s historic downtown district.

More than 20 downtown shops and offices have shut their doors. At least a dozen of these will not operate in any capacity until the quarantine is lifted.

Barbershops, hair salons, boutiques, restaurants and clothing shops have closed their doors to the public, although several are continuing to operate in different ways.

They’re changing their business model, at least for a while, moving to online sales and curbside delivery as well as local deliveries.

It’s an effort to keep the doors open. To keep a dream alive. And while times are no doubt tough, there’s a hope that through innovation and hard work, the dream of owning a small business may somehow survive.

“This is going to change the way we all do business,” said Mayor Matt White.

“We all have to adapt to this stuff.”

Boutiques like Hot Mess Station, Bronze Seal and Cocobella’s are selling their merchandise through websites and Facebook. They are also hosting online live sale events, posting pictures of merchandise and giving Facebook users the chance to snag the items.

Morgan Schwarz, owner of Hot Mess Station, said the store’s live sale event last week gave her a lot of hope for the future.

“People are wanting to support small businesses right now. I was surprised at how many online buyers we had through our live sale. People are wanting to help.”

Schwarz also said that all the business owners are sticking together, as is the whole community.

“We will make it,” she said. “We will get through it.”

Others agree.

Victoria Lee, owner of The Junkyard Diva, said there are ways for the city to come back from economic misfortune, but that success can only come through teamwork and mutual respect.

“We need to build up the community something fierce. Let’s treat it like anything else that has ever knocked the wind out of El Reno.”

Lee’s store, like many, was closed down by the pandemic, but she hopes to get things moving again when allowed. She also hopes that people remember all the times that small businesses have been there for the community through fundraisers and special events.

“When people are able to get out again, please remember us.”

Allie Diaz of Allie’s Baking Boutique said she hopes everyone in town follows all the guidelines set by health officials.

She said things will get better after the spread of the virus slows. For her part, she’s keeping the bakery open through curbside service only.

“This really scares me,” she said.

“We’re asking that people take this seriously. If you’re sick, you really need to stay home. If we want this to only last another month, we need to follow the rules. Otherwise, we’re going to be hurting even longer.”

Allie’s Bakery is feeling the effects of the pandemic on several levels. On occasion, Diaz has been unable to find eggs and milk, staples for her business.

White said every business in El Reno is important to the community. The sales tax dollars from these shops and restaurants are essential to the function of El Reno’s municipal government.

Sales tax supports police and fire as well as the other functions. If businesses suffer, everything else about the city suffers.

“Bottom line, we have to support them the best we can and try to shop local,” White said. “We have to support local businesses and employees, because they are what makes a community. It’s more important now than ever.”

Shana Ford, Main Street director, said investing in the businesses now will ensure they are here after “the storm.”

“We need to focus on what we can do to support these businesses, so that when this turns around, they’ll still be here.”

Ford encourages people to buy products from local stores still operating in a limited capacity.

Small businesses are hoping for help from government programs such as the Payroll Protection Plan. However, some El Reno shop owners said they are struggling to qualify.

“Seventy five percent of expenses had to be payroll, but small businesses are about doing it all yourself,” said Paula Cooper, owner of Cocobella’s.

“If you don’t have a lot of payroll, the program won’t work for you.”

Cooper is at Cocobella’s on some afternoons, ready to deliver items to buyers. She said she still has customers, but she’s worried that her business and others might not survive if the quarantine is extended.

Ford said if any business owner needs help navigating the government assistance options, they can call her at Main Street for assistance.

In addition to the mom and pop shops, popular restaurants have also been struggling. Some restaurants continue to offer drive-thru or takeout, but others have closed up shop completely.

Last December, Halliburton announced it was leaving its El Reno operation and taking several hundred paychecks out of the immediate area.

And just this past week the state of Oklahoma was notified that Next Tier Completions Solutions, an oil field service business in El Reno, is laying off 87 employees.

The city of Yukon on Thursday laid off 18 employees.

El Reno is obviously not alone when it comes to economic pain caused by the downturn in the oil patch and the dreaded COVID-19.

Still there is hope.

“We will bounce back,” said Ford. “Will it be easy? Heck no.”

“It’s going to take a little time,“ said White.