The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation small business services coordinator, Maria Rivera-Ortiz, caught up with Karina Cano, owner of Antojitos Guatemaltecos in Belmont Cragin to talk about the impact Covid-19 has had on her business.
Q: How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your business?
A: My business has suffered a 50% drop in sales. People do not come out as much as before due to the COVID-19.
Q: Whats been your greatest challenge during the pandemic?
A: I had the business closed for 2 1/2 months. I also had to let go of one of the cooks and cut the hours of my waitress and I work more hours myself at the business. I feel behind in so many bills of the business and my home.
Q: Have there been any silver linings for you and your family during this difficult time?
A: It’s been a blessing that I have received $2000 in rental assistance from the NWSCDC for my business. My regular customers would call to see if the business was open and they would place an order for catering for their families and buy products from my country (Guatemala) that I have in my business. So customers helping with spreading the word that my business was open has been helpful, too.
Q: How has the NWSCDC supported you in this time?
A: The support that I received from NWSCDC in this difficult time was checking up on me and having conversations and giving me hope. Notifying me of grants that are out there for small businesses and helping apply to them. Also giving me the opportunity to participate in an upcoming restaurant week challenge with them. I do want to add that I am grateful to NWSCDC to have made me feel like family, for giving me hope and motivation in not giving up when I was planning to close my business.