New pressures like higher inventory prices, additional health inspection fines/fees, and recommended safety devices cutting into profits can be unexpected expenses. New legislation in California is continuously pushing the state minimum wage beyond the national average. Business owners now face a mountain to attain success that is higher than ever before. Cancel culture, false health code violations, fictitious negative reviews online, and added financial pressure force some entrepreneurs to call it quits, while others supplant hired strangers with family members or are saved by a caring community.
Like many predecessors, the local businesses Sunshine Bakery and Flora Donna both struggle to stay afloat and share many of the same hurdles for success. Sentiments of frustration with the state favoring pop-up shops and illegal vendors over storefront spaces echo across the valley and into Los Angeles. Over saturation of similar businesses in the same place, uninspected food vendors, and permitless sales compete for the same clientele, but only legal businesses face fines from the Los Angeles Health Department and residing cities.
Renee’s Cafe in downtown Los Angeles is a story of survival amid adversity and is a model for many businesses struggling to survive. Faced with 6 months of lockdowns in 2020 the owner, Owen, locked his door for the final time in November until a stranger convinced him to stay open one more afternoon. Rene’s cafe is now a destination point for supporters of freedom and is delighted when out of town diners stop en masse for a meal. Even if it interrupts his assembly line of food being prepared for the local homeless community, he could not be happier. Similarly, Baracoa Lounge and Butler’s Coffee in Palmdale found their supportive stride in 2022.
Mosman Steakhouse, forced to close permanently in Lancaster, leaves many questions surrounding the future of other eateries in the Antelope Valley. Ben’s Butcher Block closed recently, and other businesses continue to struggle against a rising tide of pressure. Restaurants like Iron Cactus face rising inventory costs, apathetic staff, and disingenuous reviews targeting social media because of personal politics. A bakery in Ohio overcame and surprised the media when Oberlin College tried to ruin their business with false claims of racism. The presiding judge ruled in favor of the innocent 80 year old eatery and awarded $35 million in damages, paid to the victims.
Low work ethic, inflation, and fictitious negative reviews can irreparably damage an honest business, but insulated with loyal and caring customers, great products, and a willing workforce entrepreneurs can face any swell that comes in their direction.
Long before Covid-19 many in the Antelope Valley can hardly forget the heartbreak upon hearing that Daisy’s Costumes on Lancaster Boulevard burned, moved locations, and ultimately closed for good.
New pressures like higher inventory prices, additional health inspection fines/fees, and recommended safety devices cutting into profits can be unexpected expenses. New legislation in California is continuously pushing the state minimum wage beyond the national average. Business owners now face a mountain to attain success that is higher than ever before. Cancel culture, false health code violations, fictitious negative reviews online, and added financial pressure force some entrepreneurs to call it quits, while others supplant hired strangers with family members or are saved by a caring community.
Like many predecessors, the local businesses Sunshine Bakery and Flora Donna both struggle to stay afloat and share many of the same hurdles for success. Sentiments of frustration with the state favoring pop-up shops and illegal vendors over storefront spaces echo across the valley and into Los Angeles. Over saturation of similar businesses in the same place, uninspected food vendors, and permitless sales compete for the same clientele, but only legal businesses face fines from the Los Angeles Health Department and residing cities.
Renee’s Cafe in downtown Los Angeles is a story of survival amid adversity and is a model for many businesses struggling to survive. Faced with 6 months of lockdowns in 2020 the owner, Owen, locked his door for the final time in November until a stranger convinced him to stay open one more afternoon. Rene’s cafe is now a destination point for supporters of freedom and is delighted when out of town diners stop en masse for a meal. Even if it interrupts his assembly line of food being prepared for the local homeless community, he could not be happier. Similarly, Baracoa Lounge and Butler’s Coffee in Palmdale found their supportive stride in 2022.
Mosman Steakhouse, forced to close permanently in Lancaster, leaves many questions surrounding the future of other eateries in the Antelope Valley. Ben’s Butcher Block closed recently, and other businesses continue to struggle against a rising tide of pressure. Restaurants like Iron Cactus face rising inventory costs, apathetic staff, and disingenuous reviews targeting social media because of personal politics. A bakery in Ohio overcame and surprised the media when Oberlin College tried to ruin their business with false claims of racism. The presiding judge ruled in favor of the innocent 80 year old eatery and awarded $35 million in damages, paid to the victims.
Low work ethic, inflation, and fictitious negative reviews can irreparably damage an honest business, but insulated with loyal and caring customers, great products, and a willing workforce entrepreneurs can face any swell that comes in their direction.
