Elgin oil shop fights COVID-19 to stay open

Two weeks before Gov. JB Pritzker's stay-at-home order went into effect, John Brittain noticed that business had slowed considerably at Brittain's Express Oil & Lube in Elgin.

The shop, which opened 34 years ago, had to close temporarily.

"We were closed for three weeks and then reopened with half of my staff," he said. "I'm hoping to get the other half back to work in the next week or so."

"We applied for and received a PPP loan, which will help in getting my whole staff back to work."

The staff is using masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, disinfecting surfaces throughout the day and asking their customers to remain in their vehicles.

Brittain, who started working at the family-owned business in high school, said he has always enjoyed getting to know his customers.

He says he may have lost some service opportunities during the three weeks he was closed, "but we've tried to build a very loyal customer base," and he hopes that will help in the long run.

• Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic? Send photo director Jeff Knox a detailed email with LIFE'S WORK in the subject line at jknox@dailyherald.com, and we'll consider it.