CLEVELAND — Things are perking up for a local business whose owner just days ago told us she wasn’t sure she’d survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jackie Larkins owns Café Phix Midtown in Cleveland. The shop is surrounded by businesses that have told their employees to telecommute, so there were fewer people walking past her café.
News 5 told Larkins’ story on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, she tells us businesses started to pick up, with one couple driving into Cleveland from Chagrin Falls. Once the story was shared on social media, lines were out the door Thursday.
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Many of the customers we spoke with told us they wanted to support a black-owned business that needed help.
Larkins is moved by the support.
“I am overwhelmed with the greatness of it. All of these wonderful people who decided to come out and support. It’s been absolutely wonderful.” she says. “I don’t even have any words for it."
Now, Larkins is prepping for a busy Friday morning, and the barista she hired back with her Paycheck Protection Loan isn’t set to start until next week.
Larkins says if you’re a barista and need a job, show up at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Who knows, you just might get a job when the pandemic is over.
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