Local, small business owners hurting during the pandemic

Francine Austin said her business, Moi Poki Bar, is open to the public and ready to serve you.

You... small buisnesses across western oregon are suffering because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy is here live in the studio and shows us how one buisness owner has seen things change in a blink of an eye.

I first spoke to moi poke owner, francine austin-- five months ago today.

In november the story was she can't find enough employees to work her two stores.

Today... its a complete 180.

"it's been really really tough" francine austin owns moi poke in what use to be a very busy beer garden.

"as you can see, all the tables are all turned over and nobody's here."

The change in buisness came when governor kate brown signed an executive order-- restricting all resturants to take out and delivery as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus "i got into my car and just started crying because all of a sudden my whole livelihood you know, the things that i look forward to and coming to every day is going to be put on hold for i don't know how long."

Now rewind to five months ago... austin's buisness was booming and the only problem was trying to find employees.

"consistently need somebody to work if not, i'm the one here."

She had two stores... and over 11 employees.

Fast forward to april... she has 1 store... and she is the*only full time employee laying off nearly her whole staff.

"i think that was the worst thing i had to do was actually let my employees go because a lot of them live to pay to paycheck."

Now it's back to the drawing board "now, i kind of have to start from the begining again and try to put myself out there and try to get people to support us."

Austin just wants the community to know... her buiness like others in western oregon.... are open... and ready to serve you.

"you know being a small business owner, it's already as hard as it is, but during this time i think it's even more challenging and you got to do everything that you can."

If you are worried about hygenie from resturants.... austin wants to reasure the public her buisness.... as well as others are hyper sensetive to cleanliness.

Austin says she's constantly washing hands, changing gloves, sanatizing counter tops, and wiping down the register.

Reporting live in the studio connor mccarthy kezi nine news.