Phoenix small businesses counting on regulars to keep them afloat this season

Small businesses in Phoenix are preparing for the holiday season, and some are relying on their regular customers to keep their doors open during the pandemic. "We had to close down completely" because of Covid-19, said Rachel McAuley, owner of Zen Thai Café at Central Avenue and Washington Street. “It’s good that we closed to keep the community safe, but we did lose a lot of money.” Zen Thai Café, a small Thai food restaurant that offers unique cuisine with Asian influences used to make…