New Businesses Survive Trial by Virus How three Erie startups are making the right moves by Rebecca Styn
Contributed photos
(clockwise from top left) Pastor Curtis Jones Sr., co-owner of Chippers Seafood and Southern Fusion, stands beside his son Pastor Curtis Jones Jr., a former Erie City Council member; smiling customers await their paninis at the Hot Off the Press food truck; blessed with stunning views, Oliver s Rooftop Restaurant expects fuller dining rooms as COVID-19 restrictions are eased; Vintage Soul and Home in the West Erie Plaza was inspired by co-owner Maria Gartrell s career in real estate.
Across the country, the pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of small businesses to close. For those that were able to persevere, the last year brought unimaginable economic consequences. But even through this, some started anew. Entrepreneurs already innately embrace risk and for many, this was jus