On a recent Monday afternoon, the owner of La Chispa de Oro, Melchor Moreno, observed the stark contrast to his restaurant’s once-bustling business as he counted meager sales from the day.
With only a handful of customers walking through the door, the eatery on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights found itself facing a crisis unlike any other.
“It doesn’t help that there’s no foot traffic, too… The streets are empty. It’s kind of scary,” Moreno remarked, revealing a heightened sense of concern that has gripped local businesses since immigration raids were initiated in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Business owners, particularly in the Eastside restaurant sector, have been feeling the financial squeeze, as fears surrounding potential immigration enforcement keep even loyal clientele from visiting.
Moreno’s struggles reflect a broader trend observed in Boyle Heights, where the full economic impact of these raids remains to be assessed.
He has already reduced staff hours, stepped into kitchen roles, and watched as his employees left with noticeably smaller tips.
“They’ve noticed it. The waitresses are taking less money home every day,” Moreno shared, expressing uncertainty over the future of his establishment as he estimates losses exceeding $7,000 since the raids began on June 6.
In response to the challenges, Moreno has decided to close his restaurant on Tuesdays for the summer in hopes that the panic stemming from the ICE raids will subside.
A recent survey conducted by Boyle Heights Beat of local restaurants illuminates the severity of the situation.
Over a dozen owners reported dramatic declines in both customer numbers and revenue, with some claiming losses of 50% or more in recent weeks.
One owner revealed a staggering loss of over $10,000 in revenue, while another assessed losses approaching $15,000.
Further compounding their woes, many restaurateurs cite already inflated operating costs, with some going so far as to work without pay or cut back employee hours in an effort to save money.
Casa Fina, a restaurant located on 1st Street, has initiated discussions about the potential for laying off staff or possibly closing altogether as they grapple with continuing economic fallout.
Additionally, many restaurant proprietors note that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to fully dissipate, meaning that the recent immigration raids represent yet another blow to hard-pressed businesses in the area.
A local taqueria owner shared insights on the difficult choices undocumented workers now face, balancing the need for income against the risk of encountering ICE agents.
While some restaurants remain unprepared for potential raids, others like Milpa Kitchen have taken proactive measures by displaying signs prohibiting ICE agents from entering their premises.
At the same time, community members near Casa Fina have banded together to keep vigilant watch in anticipation of potential visits from federal agents.
Local political leaders are beginning to respond to the crisis, acknowledging the severity of the situation and expressing a commitment to offering support.
In June, Mayor Karen Bass and Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez took time to converse with restaurant owners, walking through an unusually quiet 1st Street corridor to understand their concerns.
Bass referred to the ongoing fear and economic repercussions stemming from the raids as a “body blow” to Boyle Heights, promising increased support for small businesses, though the specifics of this assistance remain unclear.
Boyle Heights Beat reached out to the Mayor’s office for additional information, but did not receive a timely response.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights in District 14, has contributed to the establishment of a Business Recovery Center at 1780 E. 1st Street.
This center aims to assist affected small businesses and nonprofits with information regarding available loan programs for those in financial distress due to the raids, according to a spokesperson for CD 14.
At the county level, Supervisor Hilda Solis has initiated an economic impact study to evaluate the ramifications of the ICE raids on local small businesses and has begun drafting a fundraising plan along with a cash-aid fund for impacted families.
However, Miriam Rodriguez, president of the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce, emphasizes the urgent need for direct financial support, such as grants.
“Just like there was financial assistance during the pandemic or during the fires, there should be a similar financial assistance program for small businesses during these times that don’t have a lot of [red tape] like a long application process,” Rodriguez stated.
She acknowledges that while ICE agent activity has diminished in the area since a federal judge temporarily halted roving enforcement, fear remains an enduring presence.
Rodriguez warns that without direct financial intervention, many businesses may be at risk of closing their doors for good.
To strengthen community resilience, she advocates for a united effort between local leaders and residents to support neighborhood restaurants as they navigate these trying times.
At a recent neighborhood workshop focused on rights, hosted by the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Council District 14 and the Independent Hospitality Coalition, business owners, managers, and employees received crucial guidance on managing encounters with ICE agents.
Following the workshop, one owner took commendable steps by eliminating uniform requirements and offering rides through services like Lyft and Uber to ensure the safe travel of his employees.
Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, reaffirmed the essential role immigrants play within the industry, emphasizing their significant contribution to the economy.
“We would not be the 4th largest economy in the world without them,” he asserted, highlighting the vitality they bring to the sector.
Rodriguez echoes Condie’s sentiments, noting that the resilient spirit of Boyle Heights has always fostered community support.
“We are a community that will always stand up for each other… I think Boyle Heights is unique in the sense that people step where it’s mostly needed,” Rodriguez said, urging collective action to reclaim the space and support family-owned businesses that have long served the neighborhood.
Many establishments have adapted to survive, such as The Big Burrito on Wabash Avenue, yet certain owners remain apprehensive about further reducing operations for fear of alienating potential customers.
Carlos Ortez, who owns Un Solo Sol around the Mariachi Plaza area, painted a dire picture of the financial landscape.
He estimates a 50% loss in business since the raids began, and despite the restaurant being a fixture in the neighborhood for 15 years, he revealed that profit has eluded him since before the pandemic.
As operations are now confined to just a few days during the week, Ortez fears that without rapid improvement, closure may be unavoidable.
“The possibility of me closing is high. Of course, I’m not going to give up that easily,” Ortez declared.
He remains grateful for the support of his community but knows that they, too, have faced similar challenges, as economic stability continues to elude many.
“It’s become something we can’t hide,” he lamented, highlighting the ongoing struggle many local businesses face amidst an uncertain landscape.
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