In this file photo, Gloria Krouch and her husband, Richard, are photographed in their store, Bohemian High, at 156 Bridgeport Ave., in Milford.
Arnold Gold /Hearst Connecticut Media / File photoMILFORD — Three people at an outdoor celebration of 4/20 — an unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts — have tested positive for COVID-19 and the organizers, who own a boutique have put it out on social media in case others in attendance want to get tested.
Pressing that button to post on Facebook that “Bohemian High” would be closed until April 29 because of three positive cases, “wasn’t easy,” because it will “put a hurting on us,” business wise, but was the right thing to do, said owner Richard Krouch.
Richard Krouch and his wife, Gloria Krouch, got tested after the event when one person who attended called to say they were positive for COVID-19. The Krouches were positive. Richard Krouch had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine April 12 and his wife had her first Pfizer shot April 10, Gloria Krouch said.
The Facebook post informing the public reads in part: “If you were at the event and was within 6 feet of somebody, for at least 15 minutes then you should probably get tested.”
Some 200 people passed through the lot on Bridgeport Avenue, next to their store, “Bohemian High,” during the full event from 4 to 7:30 p.m., but there were never more than 40 or 50 at a time, Richard Krouch said.
They had a permit from the city to rent the lot next their store at 156 Bridgeport Ave. and strictly followed all COVID protocols set forth by the local health department, including a limit of 80 people at a time, mask wearing and six-foot distancing. They said that they were so strict that one couple who refused to wear a mask was politely turned away.
The celebration of 4/20 — also the five-year anniversary of the business opening — included the band, “Shot Down,” and a few vendors. The band was understanding and its members were fully vaccinated, Gloria Krouch said
The event was Tuesday and the Krouches closed Bohemian High Thursday immediately after the test results came in. On Thursday they posted on Facebook: “Bohemian High will be closed until Thursday April 29t because at least 3 people that were at the 4/20 Anniversary Party tested positive for COVID-19. If you were at the event and was within 6 feet of somebody, for at least 15 minutes then you should probably get tested.
We got tested using the following link: YNHH COVID-19 Test Scheduler.”
The Krouches have received an outpouring of support on Facebook for being honest. After the positive tests they contacted the Milford Health Department and followed protocol. They do not have a list of people who attended.
Milford Health Director Deepa Joseph could not be reached for comment.
One person commented on the Facebook post: “So sorry that happened and it’s great you spoke up right away.”
Gloria Krouch said Saturday her “big takeaway” is to know all the possible symptoms. While she and her husband have no idea where or when they contracted the virus, she recalls having a bad headache last week or the previous week and attributed that to dental work. She was also extremely tired, but thought it was because of a crazy schedule involving driving her father long distances to appointments.
For all she knows, those could have been the circumstances, she said.
In speaking with the doctor, she learned it was important to be “aware of symptoms,” that can take many forms. The Krouches aren’t feeling well, but so far don’t have extreme symptoms.
Since the posting, customers have contacted them with a lot of “Thanks for being responsible,” messages, Gloria Krouch said.
“We knew it was the right thing to do… It was the best way for us to put it out,” Gloria Krouch said of closing and putting the news out on Facebook. “It’s up to them now,” to be tested.
The Krouches said in 2017 when they opened that music festivals put them in their happy place, so for grand opening, they had a mini-music festival outside their new 1960s/1970s-style boutique.
The boutique featuring items such as tie-dye clothes; hobo bags, some with peace signs; Baja jackets, tapestries; and an extensive “smoke and glass shop.”
Before opening the business — filled with the aroma of incense sticks for sale — the couple took a few years off from work after selling an unrelated business facilitating Medicare’s therapeutic shoe program, they said in 2017.
During that time off they had a great time doing more of what they always liked to do — listening to music in their Milford home, going to music festivals and live concerts, seeking “the vibe,” they said.
But after a while they became bored, the couple said in 2017, and so they decided to open a store where they could “get the vibe” all day together, Richard Krouch said in 2017.