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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, February 18, 2022

Small Business Owners Discuss Negative Impact of Pandemic

For the past two meetings, a coterie of small business owners have appeared before Northampton County Council to discuss the small business grants received as a result of the pandemic. This program will end once federal funds have been exhausted, but no one on County Council has suggested this program end earlier than then. Someone obviously instigated these small business owners to appear. I declined to write about this two weeks ago because I felt these mom 'n pops were being used. But I am writing about it now to share how the pandemic has hurt these businesses. 

The two brothers who own Aman's Artisan Indian Cuisine (I lack the correct spelling of their names) were  the first in the prisoner's dock. They indicated that, while Covid might be over, the inflationary effects is hurting the restaurant business. Before Covid, a gallon of cooking oil cost him $17. Now it's $52. Chicken was $45 a case. Now it's $110-120. A bag of 51 onions was $16. It's jumped to $34. 

They are a bit suspicious about price gouging because there are no shortages. 

A Nazareth donut shop owner said that before Covid, she had 23 employees. Now she has eight. She also echoed concerns about rising prices. Butter has gone from $40 to $140 and the gloves worn by pastry cooks have climbed from $60 to $110 per case. 

In addition to restaurant owners, County Council heard from the circus. Erin Grins, a stilt walker, juggler and circus camp trainer, said she and her husband are still being hurt by the pandemic. Things started to pick up, and then Omicron hit. "Our business disappeared overnight," she said.

One of these small business owners told County Council they are angels.

No, they are commissioners. 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Someone tell McClure his political race is over, and he doesn't have to keep handing out campaigning money. Businesses come and go. I bet some of these same businesses bitched when workers received relief stimulus money. Now the want them back at their near poverty wages. Tough. Time to end the business bailout welfare. Some of the recipients are hardly begging in the streets. Why not ask them to prove they used the money for their employees.
also, what do they pay workers. Restaurants suck since they pay less than 3 bucks an hour and bosses sometimes grab the tips. By the way everting is open again. Costs are up for everyone. It is not the taxpayers' job to subsidize cheap owners.

Butter and other groceries have gone up for everyone. Maybe regular everyday people can come in and get some cash.

Anonymous said...

Bernie I had all ways experienced in my youtn that when the circus came to town they had left too. Now the carnival barkers never seem to leave and are same ones involved in the government hand outs.

Anonymous said...

Corporate Greed!

Anonymous said...

The democratic leaders tried to destroy small business in many ways but they left big business stay open--The democratic party is a mess maybe they will go out of business with their terrible policies.

Anonymous said...

And because we are not adequately prepared for the next wave of COVID, a serious loss of business may well happen again. And we can "open up" all we want, but I'm not returning to "normal" until I see a lot more progress. Anti-vaxxers, I'm especially talking to YOU.

Anonymous said...

It's not like consumers aren't seeing the same inflation. It'd be interesting to see some numbers on how the price of eating out has risen compared to eating at home.

Anonymous said...

I dated a stilt walker named Eileen. She always looked down on me and I couldn't come up to her standards.

Anonymous said...

9:45 AM

Are you sure you were ever "normal?"

Anonymous said...

As they crater in the polls with November on the way, have you noticed how much less lefty politicians are saying about COVID?

It's a miracle! The polls have cured COVID! Pretty soon we'll be back to the "Global Warming" hoax...

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, 11:09, once upon a time I actually used to go to movie theaters, have guests at my home, enjoy cruises, and eat at indoor restaurants. But no more. It's interesting that you would attempt to demean me just because I hurt your--apparently--anti-vaxxer feelings.

Don't worry, I'm sure that we WILL "open up." And then we'll see who gets sick and who doesn't, eh?

Anonymous said...

Small business owners will feel the pain until middle America gets back to work. Many of them are unemployed since the beginning of the pandemic, and the professional opportunities are currently not being offered and or fulfilled. The unemployment benefits for Pennsylvanian's are terrible and are the lowest for the northern part of the United States. Those are customers that small business depends on. Good luck, maybe Tony Iannelli needs to get the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Competence to fight for higher paying jobs with better benefits for Pennsylvanians workers then small business will succeed.

Carl said...

Corp greed. They saw an opportunity with covid. Profit margins are up according to their own reporting (Earnings Calls) to shareholders. Only about 4 companies control the beef/poultry industry. Same in other food sections. Many people would be amazed at how many brands are owned by a just a few companies.

Anonymous said...

Did they ever think the higher cost to transport the goods around will raise the price of these goods? Fuel costs are highest in 8 years. Only person you can blame is the guy in the Whitehouse that goes to Delaware 25% of the time. He shut down pipelines on day one and begs OPEC to drill more and they laugh at him. But Russia has pipelines. Bet that restaurant owner could really go for a mean tweet and $17 for cooking oil right now.

Anonymous said...

Wow did our Government get exposed over a plandemic!

Anonymous said...

When will the discrimination against the unvaccinated end?

Anonymous said...

9:59, You can and should get vaccinated any time you want. Problem solved.

Anonymous said...

If county council are angels, does that make McClure god or maybe Satan?

Anonymous said...

Check out this site for a visual of who owns who and who owns what brand.

https://www.wideopeneats.com/biggest-food-companies/

This is dated inform on beauty brands but you will get the gist.

https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-beauty-brands-connected-2017-7

And for the internet:

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-giants-owns-web/

Anonymous said...

What is everyone complaining about? Many want nothing to be done about the pandemic and say no actin should be taken so why are they complaining now.

Roughly 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. 21.6% of small businesses founded in March 2017 were closed by March 2018.
Roughly 33% of small businesses fail within two years.
Roughly 50%of small businesses fail within five years. 49.3% of small businesses founded in March 2013 were closed by March 2018.
Roughly 66% of small businesses fail within 10 years. 66.3% of small businesses founded in March 2008 were closed by March 2018.

https://fortunly.com/articles/what-percentage-of-small-businesses-fail/#gref