The Old Town Monrovia Report

By Shawn Spencer

It is a year into the pandemic. Businesses areopen, then closed. Repeat. It’s not just our restaurants that are suffering, itis all-encompassing: service, retail, even our pet walking businesses. Not manypeople need their dog walked when they are working from home. So how do youre-brand your business? Some restaurants are selling family packages, mealplans and even “groceries.” What if you can’t re-brand? If you are in the serviceindustry, doing hair and nails, you must ply your trade on the side, just tosurvive.

The Chamber of Commerce recently launched OperationSave Our Restaurants, a sponsor-based coupon designed to get more people toorder takeout. Visit the Chamber’s website at www.monrovia.cc.comto register. Download the $10 coupon and use it at participating Monroviarestaurants. You, the customer, get the discount while the restaurant gets thefull amount of the check. Thank you to the Chamber and local sponsors for thegenerous program.

What are some other ways we (Monrovia), can helpsmall business? While the pandemic is a global issue, here are some ways othercities are assisting their local businesses:

1. Createan in-depth online survey. Find out how your businesses are suffering. Find outwhere the need is greatest. Are they at risk of going out of business? What arethey concerned about? Leave a portion open for comments, so that they can addother thoughts and/or concerns.
2. Stopor defer some of the financial burdens placed on small business, such as fines,fees, business and occupational tax/payments, and interest and penalties onsales tax.
3. Createa local relief fund. Redirect CDBG(Community Development Block Grant), funds to match grants awarded to small businessesand nonprofits by the state economic development agency, per business. Use citygrant writers to obtain funds, then offer funds or zero interest loans toimpacted businesses.
4. Create an online portal for local businesses toreceive up to date information on the pandemic, tools and resources, such ashow to apply for various loans or loan forgiveness. Update it daily withrelevant news from the city, the state and the health department.

During last week’sCity Council meeting, the council discussed taking MOTAB (Monrovia Old TownAdvisory Board) from five members to seven. The Board, comprised of Old Townmerchants, is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council on allthings Old Town: promotions, programs, projects and overall improvement. Expandingthe Board will potentially allow the members to reach out to a broader numberof business owners. MOTAB currently meets (via Zoom), on the second Tuesday ofeach month, at 9:30 a.m. I highly recommend all business owners or theirrepresentative, attend each meeting.

With no end date insight, keep supporting our local businesses as much as you can. Remember, thosebusinesses are comprised of more than just restaurants.

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