Local businesses adjust amid coronavirus pandemic

Small businesses are the backbone of any community, and many businesses in Tea are taking the necessary precautions to continue to serve their customers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many businesses have already implemented changes and safety precautions, and likely there will be more changes coming.

Tea City Council passed a resolution in support of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s Executive Order (found on page 8) that she announced on Monday, March 23. The entire City of Tea resolution can be found on page 6 of this week’s newspaper.

Watch future issues for more information and call ahead to your local businesses with questions. Tea Weekly invited local businesses to send in announcements regarding adjustments to hours or services, the following were submitted by March 24 at noon:

Valley Exchange Bank drive-up only

Valley Exchange Bank in Lennox and Tea will continue regular business hours with drive-up window only through April 3rd, after which it will be evaluated. Valley Exchange Bank will be taking appointments for anyone needing to speak to a loan officer or account representative. Bank staff will be available to assist with phone calls. Customers can call 605-647-2261 or 605-368-2051 with any questions.

Tea American Legion closes until end of April

With respect to our customers and employees, The Tea Legion has made the decision to perform their civic duty and suspend operations until April 30th.

On a Facebook post they added, “Thank you and God Bless. If you have questions about individual events, please message us.”

Dart Boutique moves to online sales

DART Boutique owner, Leslie Dolby said, “We are still encouraging people to shop on our website: www.shopDARTboutique.com.

“We offer local pick-up options and can arrange a time for customers to pick up their orders, or we can ship as well. Also, we are offering private shopping experiences by appointment only and those are FREE.”

To schedule a private shopping session or to arrange an order pick-up, text or call DART at (605) 777-3956 or email: info@shopDARTboutique.com

B&G Milkyway in Tea drive-through open

B&G Milkyway in Tea is open for drive-through service only, the lobby will remain closed for now. B&G Milkyway is proud to offer another food option for residents in the community. Walk through service will also be accepted. Customers are reminded to be mindful of current social distancing recommendations by the CDC.

J&M Transmission & Auto Service open

J&M Transmission & Auto Service in Tea is open and here to help! We are open and continuing to service vehicles and we are committed to taking precautions to keep our customers safe. You can get your car fixed without ever needing to enter our shop. While many people are home, now is a great time to have your vehicle serviced. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local, family owned and operated small business!

We are taking health precautions very seriously and also making it super EASY for you to get your car worked on (without ever leaving home!) Here’s how:

• FREE Vehicle Pick Up and Delivery: Get your car repaired without ever leaving home. J&M Transmission &Auto Service will pick up your car from work or home and drop it off to you when it’s done, for FREE.

• Pay From Home: Pay from your mobile device - give us a call and pay over the phone. No need to come in to pay.

• No Contact Drop Box: We have a secure drop box outside our office door. You can drop your key in this box so you do not need to come in contact with anyone. Once your vehicle is done and sanitized, we will give you a code to access YOUR key only (after it, too, has been sanitized.)

• Disinfecting Keys and Car: Upon receiving your keys, we will wipe ALL keys down with a disinfecting wipe (as a precaution). While our staff works on your vehicle, they will be wearing safety gloves the entire time. Once the work is done on your vehicle, we will disinfect any high-touch areas, such as the steering wheel, gear shift, rearview mirror and door handles. Before giving you your key back, we will disinfect the key.

• Sanitizing the Office: We are sanitizing the office, front counter, door handles, and bathroom very regularly to reduce the spread of germs.

• Phone and Email Communication: We will be in contact with you via phone and email so that you know exactly what is going on with the service to your automobile and can approve any work that is done. No need to wait at the shop.

Have questions? Or want to schedule an appointment? Give us a call at (605) 368-2050 and we’d be more than happy to help. We are located at 46947 100th St in Tea.

Tea Trinity Lutheran Church creates Crisis Team

Tea Trinity Lutheran Church continues to provide the community with the needs of now as well as what lies ahead.

“As we follow the recommendations of social distancing, we have implemented some changes. Please read the following for important information and updates.

“We would like to introduce the Trinity Care In Crisis Team, in conjunction with tLINK. This team has been put together to ensure that our community is still cared for and has a way to get the things they need during this time. If you are in need of pharmacy pickup, groceries or other errands, please call the church office number at 605.498.2343. This line is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 days a week.

“Church Services on Sundays and Wednesdays are live streamed on our Facebook page until further notice. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can find the sermon on our website the following business day at www.teatrinity.org and on our youtube channel @Teatrinity Lutheran.

“Sunday School and group activities are canceled until further notice.

“Office hours have changed. We are open from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. noon, Monday through Friday.

“Tea Area Food Pantry will continue to be open by appointment only until further notice. To schedule a time for pick up, please call 605-368-1221. If you are sick, we ask that you call the church office for different arrangements.

“Trinity Lutheran Preschool is currently accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year. It is important to continue planning for our children’s future during this time. For more information or to register online, please visit www.teatrinity.org/education/trinity-preschool “

Tea Steakhouse offers curbside pickup

Tea Steahouse shared on Monday, March 23 that the dining room was open and had plenty of room so that customer’s don’t have to sit close to other diners. Tea Steakhouse also offers all menu items for take out. Just call ahead and staff can have your order ready within 10 to 15 minutes, call Tea Steakhouse at 605-368-9667.

Curbside delivery is also available if you prefer.  Just call ahead to order and you can just pay over the phone with your credit card and staff will run it out to you when you arrive.

Pernell’s Alignment & Tire practices new guidelines

At Pernell’s Alignment & Tire the safety of our customers is our #1 priority. During this COVID-19 pandemic the following guidelines will be put in place to help protect the health of our customers and limit the number of people in the waiting area at one time:

• Please make an appointment before dropping your vehicle off by calling 605-213-0454

• Please make arrangements to drop your vehicle off and we will call you to pick it up when the work is complete.

• If you are not feeling well please call and reschedule your appointment.

In addition, we are disinfecting the lobby area between customers.

We will get through this together and we appreciate you supporting the local businesses in our community.

Prairie Rehabilitation keeps patient health a priority

 Prairie Rehabilitation Administrative Assistant/Marketing Coordinator Morgan Appeldorn stated, “As our communities begin to feel the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to share with you the steps we’re taking at Prairie Rehabilitation to help protect the health and safety of our patients and staff, which is always our top priority.

 “We’re closely monitoring local and national reports on the evolving impact of COVID-19 and based on guidance from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and applicable public health agencies.

“Our housekeeping and sanitization efforts continue with the high standards we have always followed. We frequently disinfect often touched surfaces such as door handles, countertops, keypads, restroom surfaces, and exercise and therapy equipment.

“We feel deeply for those who have been affected. Thankfully, as of now, we’re not aware of any patient or staff member contracting COVID-19. We have implemented guidelines that instruct any coworker who may develop symptoms or come into contact with infected individuals to stay home and follow the CDC’s instructions.”

Tea Tots Childcare Center open for business

Tea Tots Childcare Center is still open from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The Childcare Center wants to let the community know that they are available to help medical personnel or emergency responders if they are in need of care. Also, since TASK is closed, the Childcare Center can help with any parents needing care for school agers. Tea Tots has set up times throughout the days to make sure students work on their schoolwork and can bring their iPads or Chromebooks from school.

ProChem Dynamics on the front-lines

Isaac and Tara Parker and the ProChem Team shared the following statement, “We consider ProChem to be an essential part of the supply chain for various products and services. We service offices, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers, city-state-federal facilities, manufacturing, schools, etc.

“We help supply everyday needs like toilet tissue, disinfectants, sanitizers, hand soaps, hand sanitizers, paper towels, trash liners, cleaning supplies, etc.  We also help train and educate the public and our customers on proper disinfecting procedures, cleaning procedures, gloves, safety measures, etc.

“At this time we are seeing many supply chain constraints/disruptions.  At times we are being limited on the  quantities that we are ordering while waiting for manufactures to speed up production, even working 7 days  a week with 3 shifts per day, to be able to continue to supply the nations needs.  

“Some back orders from manufacturers are taking 2-3, some 3-4, till arrival at our facility.  We are doing our best to analyze and project your needs for the next week even through the next few months.

“We want you to know that we are planning on continuing all of our deliveries, AS USUAL! 

To the best of our knowledge and abilities we must continue to help educate the public and our customers on what the CDC may have to offer in the way of suggestions to stay healthy and provide supplies necessary for every day health, business, and personal needs.

“We also are available to answer questions on products, “how-to’s” on disinfecting procedures and cleaning procedures with instructions direct from the manufacturers. 

“Thank you all for your business and relationships as we do well to stay calm and collected, helping each other out as much as possible through these events.”

Learn more about the company at www.prochemdynamics.com

Tea Weekly office closed to public

Tea Weekly has closed its office to the public. The newspaper staff continues work to gather the relevant news and stories important to the Tea community.

Tea Weekly office has a news drop to the left of the front door (140 N. Carla Ave., Ste. D) that is checked regularly. Staff encourages customers to conduct business online at www.teaweekly.com or contact the office by phone 605-213-0049 or email: news@teaweekly.com. Send mail to: PO Box 98, Tea, SD 57064.