Fallbrook's businesses finding ways to stay open, searching for answers

Jeff Goldblume's character in "Jurassic Park" made the phrase, "Life finds a way," famous.

In many respects, the same can be said for local businesses – essential ones, at least – that are trying to "find a way" to stay open in an unstable local economy caused by containment efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's order to close all nonessential businesses and his asking for a voluntary stay-at-home policy made the decision easy for many businesses.

According to the governor's orders, California's 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, warning that the coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the state's medical system.

California identified 16 business sectors that have the ability to stay open, including health care, emergency services, food and agriculture, transportation and communication. The list includes others such as wastewater treatment, cannabis dispensaries and even Uber and Lyft drivers.

Big box stores and restaurants are permitted to stay open if they offer takeout, delivery and curbside pickup options.

That's exactly what local restaurants are trying to do as many have pivoted to offer all those of those options to their customers. But even then, with fewer people venturing outside and fears of loss of income due to a loss of hours at work or job loss altogether, wallets have tightened.

That was the dilemma for Oink and Moo Burgers and BBQ owners Jennifer and Jonathan Arbel were facing as news of mandates and orders from the state were being announced. For now, the restaurant is closed.

"We are really torn about the decision," Jonathan Arbel said. "What we felt at the time was that we had to close down because of the guidelines that the state and federal government put out, about basically maintaining 6 feet distance from each other and only going to take out. We're such a small restaurant that maintaining even two- or 3-feet distance from each other is difficult. We didn't feel good about walking into work every day and putting my employees at jeopardy, their families and ourselves."

Jonathan Arbel said they couldn't get masks and barely got their hands on sanitizer. Then there's the uncertainty of what the future holds for restaurants in California.

That uncertainty made him consider the future of the business as well.

"The reality is in two or three months, if this continues and I do believe it will, we're all going to be broke. And I don't know that that many people are going to have the money or the luxury to go out and eat like they used to," Jonathan said.

It was not an easy decision to make to close down the business, Jonathan Arbel said.

"This weighs on us pretty heavily," he said. "We had 19 employees, and that's a lot of people, a lot of bread and butter that's gone now."

Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce President Lila MacDonald talked about the mood in town.

"I think there's hopefulness because we're in a small town and people are really supporting restaurants and those essential businesses," MacDonald said. "People are being flexible, which is really awesome as well. Creative ways to serve the public.

"There's also apprehension, and people are still scared about the future. I think especially at your small 'mom and pop' businesses where you're being forced to close and even with your essential businesses that are dealing with shorter hours and smaller staff."

Newsom reported that unemployment claims continue to climb with 40,000 claims Sunday, March 14, and 70,000 as of Monday and 80,000 as of Tuesday. Claims for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were 125,000, 135,000 and 114,000 respectively.

According to a report from The Associated Press, state unemployment trust funds generally are in better financial shape than they were before the last recession.

However, 21 states began the year with less than the amount recommended to remain solvent in an average recession, including California.

The Senate gave final approval Wednesday, March 18, to a separate bill that would inject $1 billion into state unemployment insurance programs.

In an announcement Monday, March 23, the Federal Reserve said it will establish three new lending facilities that will provide up to $300 billion by purchasing corporate bonds, a wider range of municipal bonds and securities tied to such debt as auto and real estate loans. It will also buy an unlimited amount of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities to try to hold down borrowing rates and ensure those markets function smoothly.

A nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package was being furiously debated in the Senate which would include sending checks to Americans within a matter of weeks to help them pay for groceries, bills, mortgages and rent.

As of late Monday, there was no indication that they would come to an agreement.

Maryjane North in Fallbrook issued a statement as to why they have decided to close their doors for the foreseeable future.

"It's because of all this that we felt we needed to help flatten the curve and follow the instructions laid out to stay home as much as possible," according their statement. "It's also because of this direction that we have an extraordinarily uncertain future. We have poured our lives into these salons and the families that come through the doors have become family to us. We will continue to do what is best for the community and try to find ways to still have great income in any capacity. We are working on options that will allow us to do what we can in any shape or form.

We hope to continue to be part of Fallbrook's future on Main Avenue. Thank you for your continued support," Maryjane North said.

Other businesses have chosen to stay open to serve the community.

Businesses such as Joe's Hardware, Beebe's Family Arm & Munitions, Costello's Auto Repair, Goin' Postal, George's Plumbing, Heating & Air and Alvarado Veterinary Hospital were all open as of Monday, March 23.

Other businesses are pivoting too. Many of Fallbrook and Bonsall's locally owned restaurants are now offering takeout and curbside pickup, while some others are offering delivery when they never have before. California's Alcoholic Beverage Control eased alcohol delivery restrictions from restaurants on cocktails, beer and wine.

Others are taking it virtual.

Checkmat Fallbrook Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has launched a virtual Brazilian jiu jitsu gym experience by conducting classes on a private Facebook page with live video training.

North Coast Church and Living Waters Christian Fellowship held video services on websites and social media channels Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22.

Leaders in local and regional business, like the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce are doing their best to help small businesses apply for low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans are available to small businesses in Riverside and 34 other California counties that are economically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The interest rate on the disaster loans is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private nonprofit organizations. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years.

The economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million are designed to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred, according to SBA administrator Jovita Carranza.

"These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact," Carranza said. "Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,'"

Applicants should visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

"We're trying to get out as much information as we can, the whole picture," MacDonald said. "Meaning it might be mental wellness right now because a lot of people are going through a mental thing as well, having to deal with social distance or all the things that you worry about. Then helping them with resources, whether it's SBA, EDD, FEMA, bank loans, assistance in marketing."

The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].