For today’s Q&A with a local business, we speak to Kevin Conboy, who runs the garden department at Weed & Duryea. The Grove Street lumberyard and home center is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s our interview.
New Canaanite: How are you all doing?
Kevin Conboy: We are doing good. Everybody is happy that we’re open. They’re buying lawn and garden, a lot of paint and then, obviously, cleaning supplies.
What’s the community response been like?
They’re awesome. Very helpful. They are happy we are here. They are happy we have things set up to keep them safe. They’re enthralled that w have al the cleaning supplies that we do. We’re just here to help. So whatever the people need, we get trucks twice a week. So we are trying to keep everything in stock as best we can.
And what about the people who work here? Weed & Duryea is one of the businesses that’s been here forever, so people feel a strong connection.
Perfect. We’ve got a lot of high school kids working. Lumber is still open if you need building materials. We’re here every day, so if anybody needs anything, they know we’re here for them.
In terms of the business itself, no one knows how long the restrictions will last. What’s your sense of the ability of Weed & Duryea to outlast the crisis?
We’re not going anywhere.
And what’s your message for customers?
We’re here for you. We do curbside pickup, so if you don’t feel safe coming in the store, just give us a call, we’ll get all your stuff. You can order it right over the phone. Or if you feel safe coming in the store, we’re fully open.