Chester explained that she usually goes to 15 to 18 events during this time, but at this point she is down to five.
“We’re just hoping we can do our fall shows because this is our income,” Chester said. “This is our life.”
Chester explained that they are compensating for the lack of events by going to towns, neighborhoods, churches and restaurants where individuals have requested their concession stands.
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“Everyone has been just super supportive,” Chester said. “I think everyone knows that our industry has been really hit by COVID-19.”
Chester and Doogs have recently sold fair food including donuts, kettle corn, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, chicken strips and fries at Scout’s Cafe on Moorefield Road.
She said she believes many people are coming out to support their concession stands because residents love fair food and want to support small businesses.
“I think that people just want to support local people who are out hustling,” Chester said.
The change from fairs and festivals to neighborhoods and restaurants has been difficult, she said.
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“It’s hard for us because every day is a new day,” Chester said. “We don’t have a clue what our crowds are going to be.”
At fairs and festivals they are able to guess how many individuals will visit their concession stands based on last year’s numbers. Chester said that if they run out of an item it is because they are in “uncharted territory.”
Despite the difficulties, she said they are thinking positively.
“We’re home, we’re local - that’s the benefits to it, but everything else in our whole world is shook up,” Chester said.
They both said that they are not going to make the income they would make at a fair or festival, but “we’re making it.”
“We are so thankful to be able to work in Springfield,” Chester added. “We appreciate all the support and love we have received from all of our customers and now friends.”
For more information about Candi’s Concessions or Doogs Concessions, search for them on Facebook.
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