Empowering Communities

Distance socially, buy locally

April 28, 2020
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A local, family-owned printing and design company in LaGrange, Ill., is among the many businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19.

“When Illinois issued the stay-in-place order, we knew the economy and our business were going to have a tough challenge ahead,” said Al Schnell, owner of AlphaGraphics in LaGrange, Ill.

After being forced to furlough half of their staff, they weren’t sure if they could keep their doors open. That was until they received a large order from ComEd for magnetic social distancing signs for their vehicles.

“When we received the order, it was the first night in two weeks that I could sleep,” Schnell said. “It’s kept the business afloat.”

AlphaGraphics produced over 2,000 magnetic signs, A-Frame signs and decals that ComEd is now using across its service territory to remind customers to maintain a safe social distance from crews.

“This project has made a tremendous difference to our business and helped AlphaGraphics stay profitable and keep our doors open,” he said.

Other businesses are now contacting AlphaGraphics to create similar materials to promote social distancing in their communities.