illustration: Loulou Yan
The spring and summer of 2020 brought a reckoning for many Americans, with a global pandemic causing mass unemployment and the murder of George Floyd spurring protesters across the country to decry police violence against Black lives. For the restaurant industry, these events brought every failure and uncomfortable truth to the forefront and exploited and jobless workers suddenly had plenty of time for such conversations.
Social media was flooded with infographics about the racist origins of tipping and the inequities that have kept the hospitality machine running in America since its birth at the blurry end of legalized slavery in this country. Capitalism itself was under a lens, the unfair concentration of power and profit magnified with every report of another billionaire doubling or tripling wealth. Replacing this economic and political system is a long shot, but anti-capitalist practices have existed in bars and restaurants for years now. So what doe
Canyon News
UNITED STATES With the pandemic stretching into its ninth month, small business owners have turned their attention to developments in Washington. Lawmakers have agreed on a new $900 billion stimulus bill with a second round of PPP funds for small businesses that have seen a reduction of at least 30% in revenues. The bill also includes a provision allowing deductions for PPP expenses that result in PPP loan forgiveness.
Like all restaurants across Los Angeles, Barcito & Bodega had to pivot its business when the pandemic hit in March. Cocktail hour became a thing of the past. Without the ability to offer indoor seating to diners, the Latin American cafe and cocktail bar had to revamp its business model eventually transforming into a deli and bottle shop that focused on takeout and delivery.