In normal circumstances, Perla Mexican Cuisine, nestled in the heart of Santa Ana, would entertain around 50 customers during the typical lunch rush. However, this past Tuesday, the usually bustling restaurant found itself unusually silent. Few patrons, significantly less than the norm, decided to venture here for a meal. The weekend proved no better. Following an 11 a.m. opening for brunch on Saturday, the restaurant had to close its doors by 12:30 due to lack of patronage.
The restaurant’s management pointed to recent events as the cause of the dramatic downturn. Protests taking place in the city and the presence of the California National Guard in their immediate vicinity had significantly affected normal operations. It resulted in an eerie silence which was a stark contrast to their typically vibrant business. “A dead day,” complained the manager solemnly.
Santa Ana went through several changes in the previous week. The increased enforcement operations by federal immigration agents, a series of protests, and the subsequent deployment of the National Guard have resulted in a sudden drop in foot traffic. Businesses everywhere, including Perla Mexican Cuisine, have observed that sales figures have been on a downward spiral.
“Our primary aim is to stay open and serve our community,” expressed the manager. But the circumstances, coupled with the presence of the National Guard and ongoing immigration crackdowns, have made customers wary of venturing outside. This has left most establishments, including Perla, struggling to sustain themselves.
The Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, situated just opposite Perla Mexican Cuisine, hosts two stationed National Guard vehicles. The stark impact of the recent events has meant that the restaurant’s revenues have suffered a massive decline of 65-70%. To remain operational, the management has cut back staff numbers to the bare minimum, retaining only essential personnel.
The restaurant has also been forced to scale back its events. A considerable number of bookings for private events over the weekends were cancelled. The manager articulated, “Whether you have papers or not, the environment has become such that people don’t want to worry about finding parking, the safety of their cars, the potential chance of public disruption, or even violence.”
The economic aftershock of these events is far-reaching and is not just limited to Perla and Santa Ana. Representatives elsewhere are also reporting diminishing customer turnout, premature closures, and general rising fear. Business owners view the situation as another blow equal to that of a pandemic.
This economic downturn isn’t concentrated solely in Santa Ana, albeit it seems to be one of the worst hit. Neighboring locales such as Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Tustin have also reported deserted streets and called-off events. “It’s like a ghost town, as per what I heard from a business associate last Thursday,” said a local business representative.
A notable point of concern is the vicinity of some retailers to larger establishments. As per a business representative, those near Home Depot are experiencing people becoming more wary, further impacting their business. Overall, the situation has been met with growing discontent.
One business owner rationalized, “No matter which side of the humanitarian issue you are on, this situation just isn’t practical. It’s impossible to uproot and expel millions. But this has become an unfortunate numbers game.”
The downtown ambiance of Santa Ana, which had already taken a hit due to the pandemic and ongoing construction, has become grim again. Old-time business owners who have weathered many different scenarios opined that this new situation is disheartening. “We’ve endured quite a lot. The pandemic first, then building works and now this. It’s brutal for businesses,” a local store owner disclosed.
After facing trauma caused by COVID and construction works, this recent change of events has added to the ongoing adversity. The wave of early closures has become the new norm. On quiet Sundays, workers were observed leaving their posts as early as four.
One local resident pointed out the negativity this situation brings, noting, “Seeing the National Guard stationed here is surreal, like a scene from a different country. It’s keeping customers away.” However, there are differing opinions, with another resident still clinging to the power of protest, believing that it’s the only approach to get the government’s attention on these ongoing issues.
Despite the difficult circumstances, some inhabitants still think protests offer a valid means of communication. One voice stated, “Protests seem to be the only method to let the government hear our condemnation of what is going on. Our president appears to disregard those who have always lived here, worked hard, and maintained peace. This situation is significantly impacting our community.”
Regardless of these conflicting viewpoints, businesses continue to find it hard to cope. Routine meets with city officials have become tasking due to a reduced workforce. The economic implications go beyond just the lost sales, extending to the increasing uncertainty it has spurred. Those with event spaces reported complete cancellations or postponements of bookings, forming a precarious cloud of uncertainty over the industry, and significantly affecting retailers and restaurants from both worker and customer perspectives.
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