Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
News

Allowing Curbside Pick-Up Helped Some LA Businesses, Not Others

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

We all saw the photos of people lining up outside flower shops to buy bouquets for Mother’s Day. But what about other L.A. County businesses that were allowed to reopen on Friday for curbside pick-up, like bookstores, clothing stores and toy stores?

Eso Won Books in Leimert Park has been taking online orders for weeks, and owner James Fugate wasn't sure whether he'd see an immediate difference in sales after local officials announced that curbside pick-up was OK. But he was pleasantly surprised:

"We had a number of people come up, knock on the door, they wanted to know if we were open. So I think it really helped making that announcement."

It was a different story for April Hicks, who said almost no one came by her Pasadena clothing boutique, April Blooms, on Friday.

"I haven’t sold a dress, since, I think at least two to three months," she said. After all, who needs a cute outfit when there are no weddings or graduations?

In Santa Monica, toy store owner Maire Byrne didn't bother to reopen because she was already selling toys out of the market/cafe next door, which she also owns.

She said science kits, boardgames and puzzles were flying off the shelf.

Sponsored message

"Things like that that are fun for the kids, and they take a little time, which is amazing for the mom," she said.

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today