At the end of last year, a far too common trend was the closure of Los Angeles restaurants. Well known, celebrated casual, and fine-dining restaurants in our city’s world renowned culinary scene closed their doors. Some restaurant owners pointed to higher labor costs, inflation, the on-going strike in Hollywood, and the downstream effect of the pandemic.
While these are all likely factors, one group of business owners who have continued to be pummeled by the waves of economic hardships is Black-owned restaurants. Now, more than ever, it’s important we continue to support Black-owned restaurants at all levels.
The restaurant industry deals with a unique set of challenges due to inflation. While the cost of materials rise, customers still expect the prices of their favorite dishes to stay the same. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on restaurants to keep their costs low, while still serving neighborhood favorites made with the same high-quality ingredients. For some restaurants, this has meant removing items from their menu or reducing the portions they serve.
Partnership and creativity are what help keep some of L.A.’s most celebrated Black chefs sharing their talents with a Los Angeles clientele. The announcement of Leimert Park’s Swift Cafe closing last year due to the landlord selling the building and decreased foot traffic was a loss for the neighborhood.
However, chef and owner Kyndra McCary plans to shift her operations to a space near the new Intuit Dome, future home of the LA Clippers. This is one example of a restaurant owner overcoming challenges and growing in a new direction.
Nonetheless, not all Black-owned restaurants have been able to survive the challenges posed by a challenging economy. Another reminder that despite the planning, investment of hard work, and dedication, the economic setbacks the owners experienced from the start can be too difficult to overcome.
The reality is, though, when times get tough, as Black-owned businesses, we learn how to get creative and find solutions to keep our business and dreams up and running. We are resilient and determined. When that’s paired with the right tools and education, restaurateurs are better set up to weather the storm.
That’s the intent of programs like the Los Angeles Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship. We work with minority and women-owned companies to share best-in-class business intelligence, one-on-one strategies for success, and provide participants access to a network of advisors and mentors that complement a company’s management team.
Also, thanks to partnership with DoorDash, we offer empowering financial educational tools through a digital platform called GoalUp. All of our participants, from business owners to dashers, have access to educational resources ranging from savings and credit to auto finance.
No entrepreneur should endure the isolation of rebuilding or safeguarding their business alone. At the Los Angeles Urban League, we remain steadfast in our commitment of empowering underserved communities to attain economic self-reliance. We will continue to offer essential educational resources and programs, fostering empowerment within the community.
Los Angeles has one of the most vibrant restaurant scenes in the world. And we have lots of choices. But today, just days after Black History month culminates, let’s keep showing up and supporting our Black-owned restaurants. Let’s help them keep their dreams a reality, their doors open and their dining rooms full. And let’s do with this understanding that while costs increase, menus may change, and prices will go up, but the quality and dedication to serving up good meals will remain the same.
