In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama residents saw businesses categorized as essential or non-essential, and that label determined whether these businesses would remain open or be forced to close pursuant to emergency orders.
The result saw ‘essential’ businesses like Walmart, Lowe’s and CVS Pharmacy remain open, while sporting goods, furniture and book stores were forced to close, even though the so-called ‘essential’ big box stores sold the same items on their shelves.
Small business owners were outraged with what they believed were mandates that favored mega-retailers, while their stores were locked.