The restaurateurs have had to cut staff since people have not responded to buy takeout
To restaurant owners in Los Angeles, the epidemic of coRonavirus is leading them to ruin as their sales have dropped by 70-90%.
In order to prevent further spread of the disease, last Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered restaurants to stop serving food on their premises, and only sell to take away or deliver.
Enrique Ramírez, owner of the Señor Fish restaurants, as well as a sushi business and a bar in the Japanese neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, has not been able to sleep from worrying about not knowing what will happen with the pandemic and the direction which will take over the country's economy.
“I am going to survive, but I am going to lose a lot of money. I am very hurt by the employees that I have had to let go, although they can ask for unemployment, it is not the same", He says.
The restaurateur has had to send around 25 workers home, and some of their restaurants may have to be closed. He estimates he will lose $ 1.5 million that he had invested in a bar under construction for his Señor Fish restaurant in Echo Park.
"People are not buying enough takeaway food to keep us open," he says.
Of its four Señor Fish restaurants, the one with the most clientele is the downtown one, located on Main Street next to the Los Angeles Police Department building. However, not at a level that avoids downsizing.
"The downtown location is rented by the City of Los Angeles, and I hope I will be more flexible with the rent," he says. And he observes that even if he puts in his money, he will try to keep Mr. Fish in the center open as long as possible so as not to lose clientele when the coronavirus is controlled.
Consider that negative consequences of this pandemic will be felt in the economy, even after everything has happened. “This is not going to be the same again. It is all the fault of President Trump who did not take action on time, for about three months. "
Nadia Abrica, owner of the Mama Licha’s restaurant in the Sylmar community in the north of the city of Los Angeles, and president of the SOCAL Restaurant Association, says they have registered a sales slump by an average of 70%.
“We are grateful that they let us operate, serving take-away orders, but this type of sales has never been our forte at Mama Licha’s. The few people who have come want to sit down and eat. We tell them that it is no longer allowed by the coronavirus. "
In this family business they have They have had to cut four to five employees, and they are seriously considering closing. "My little restaurant is very popular, but with only six sales during the morning, we cannot sustain ourselvesr ”.
Nadia says that restaurant owners are taking extreme hygiene measures more than ever, even though they can no longer receive customers to eat on their premises. "We are constantly disinfecting everything on the tables, the sauces, the menu and the surfaces."
Sales, chef and owner of Don Chente’s restaurant, dropped 95%, so he had to send 90% of employees home.
"We have remained open more than anything because of the commitment to service, and we are confident in selling to people who do not know how to cook or cannot buy food in supermarkets."
He adds that they have made special packages of takeaway food, at a cost of $ 12 per person, including drinks, to see if they attract more customers. "We hope that people will respond to us, and that the government will support us in some way," he says worriedly.
Economic relief
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a $ 11 million financial assistance package for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we will do everything we can to help them survive this crisis," said Mayor Garcetti.
The aid consists in giving them microloans for between 5,000 and 20,000 dollars with 0% in interest for the first six months; and between 3 and 5% for up to five years. To apply for a loan, contact lamayor.org/loan.
