It had been described as a sit-down with Virginia’s governor to discuss their struggles since the pandemic began. But when it was over, some small-business owners in Alexandria were holding checks with recovery money.
The gathering occurred Tuesday at RT鈥檚 Restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood.
鈥淚s business picking back up?鈥� Ralph Northam asked George Christou, the restaurant’s co-owner.
鈥淓very month is better than the last,鈥� Christou replied.
Asked the same question, the owner of talked about strong community support being a blessing that allowed her to stay open.
鈥淚t鈥檚 still a real roller coaster overall, [but] pretty steady,鈥� Breana Perez said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been good. It鈥檚 been a blessing.鈥�
Northam told those assembled that 鈥渕oney leaders鈥� from the state House and Senate agreed that part of the $4.3 billion in federal money going to the Commonwealth — as part of the American Rescue Plan Act — should go to small businesses.
Then he broke out ceremonial poster board checks of $100,000 for the owners of RT鈥檚 — George and Maria Christou — and $15,349 for Perez鈥檚 business.
Talking with 海角社区app after the event, all the business owners expressed gratitude for what the money will mean for them.
鈥淲e needed the money to keep the team together and keep this place going,鈥� George Christou said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to keep going. It鈥檚 going to happen,鈥� Maria Christou emphasized.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been hard finding employees and the cost of goods going up is insane,鈥� Perez said. The relief money, she said, will allow her to buy supplies in bulk and beef up her staff.
鈥淥ur foreseeable future is growth and we need people to do that,鈥� Perez said.
The owners of both establishments agreed the current situation of supply costs versus what they charge isn鈥檛 sustainable.
鈥淚f we raise prices, customers aren鈥檛 going to be happy,鈥� Perez said.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to do that,鈥� Maria Christou concurred.
Now, they鈥檙e all looking toward the future.
鈥淭he worst is behind us,鈥� George Christou said.
And Maria Christou added, 鈥淵es, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.鈥�
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海角社区app’s Kristi King reported from Alexandria.
