Triad business owners calling for federal, state money to be made available to help stay open
On a sunny, fall Thursday afternoon, Natty Greene’s customers enjoyed their lunches on the patio on Greensboro’s Elm Street. It would be easy, at a quick glance, for a passerby to assume business at the brewery and restaurant was going fine. “Chaotic. It’s extremely chaotic,” said Chris Lester, owner of Natty Greene’s. “It’s been challenging, every day is a new challenge.”While the restaurant and brewery is open, Lester said COVID-19 concerns paired with state-mandated COVID-19 precautions have drastically cut business. “We have 100% of the same bills, our rent and everything, but we’re only doing 50% of volume. It makes it challenging to be profitable and break even. Basically, we’re just trying to tread water, hoping to get to the other side of this virus.”On Thursday, outside the brewery, Lester joined with other small business owners and Greensboro-based non-profit Triad Local First to urge federal lawmakers to provide more financial support to small businesses. For many businesses, PPP funds ran out months ago.”Knowing that we’re going to have to go into another round of this, it would be helpful if we had some version of that. Additional grants, as well, just for keeping the doors open. Many of the grants in the past were limited in what you could spend them on,” said Tracy Furman, executive director of Triad Local First. “We really, really need more assistance.”Furman said businesses are struggling to purchase inventory, in addition to pay rent and salaries.As they anxiously await word on support, Lester, and others, urged customers to continue to support them as the pandemic remains a part of daily life. “Support your local businesses. Support your local community. Everyone is struggling out here. Keep going by and supporting them,” Lester said. Lester said he hoped the state government would also step up and assist restaurants, bars and other businesses within the hospitality industry.
On a sunny, fall Thursday afternoon, Natty Greene’s customers enjoyed their lunches on the patio on Greensboro’s Elm Street. It would be easy, at a quick glance, for a passerby to assume business at the brewery and restaurant was going fine.
“Chaotic. It’s extremely chaotic,” said Chris Lester, owner of Natty Greene’s. “It’s been challenging, every day is a new challenge.”
While the restaurant and brewery is open, Lester said COVID-19 concerns paired with state-mandated COVID-19 precautions have drastically cut business.
“We have 100% of the same bills, our rent and everything, but we’re only doing 50% of volume. It makes it challenging to be profitable and break even. Basically, we’re just trying to tread water, hoping to get to the other side of this virus.”
On Thursday, outside the brewery, Lester joined with other small business owners and Greensboro-based non-profit Triad Local First to urge federal lawmakers to provide more financial support to small businesses.
For many businesses, PPP funds ran out months ago.
“Knowing that we’re going to have to go into another round of this, it would be helpful if we had some version of that. Additional grants, as well, just for keeping the doors open. Many of the grants in the past were limited in what you could spend them on,” said Tracy Furman, executive director of Triad Local First. “We really, really need more assistance.”
Furman said businesses are struggling to purchase inventory, in addition to pay rent and salaries.
As they anxiously await word on support, Lester, and others, urged customers to continue to support them as the pandemic remains a part of daily life.
“Support your local businesses. Support your local community. Everyone is struggling out here. Keep going by and supporting them,” Lester said.
Lester said he hoped the state government would also step up and assist restaurants, bars and other businesses within the hospitality industry.
