'I don't know if we are going to survive.' Small businesses worry COVID relief package will be temporary fix
The new COVID relief package passed by Congress is good news to many, especially small businesses, which have been struggling all year because of the pandemic.
Vanessa Minopoli, owner of La Vida Dolce Bakery in Raleigh, says right now, it’s just her and her husband. They’ve let go of all their employees because they can’t afford to pay them.
Minopoli says if they close their doors, they lose much more than their business. She and her husband moved to America from Italy to open their dream bakery and live the “sweet life.”
“We moved here for a better life, for better weather and the people here in North Carolina are nice," Minipoli said. "It’s home here."
With business down lately, it’s been anything but sweet for the couple, which has left them no choice but to dip into their savings.
“COVID really killed the business and I don’t know if we are going to survive the next year,” Minopoli said.
The new coronavirus relief package includes $248 billion for small businesses. However, if it’s anything like the last PPP plan Minopoli received, it will only be a temporary fix.
“The last PPP loan I received was $5,000 and it was no way to pay rent and bills and pay my salary,” she explained. “It lasted me one month.”
There isn’t word on how soon business owners can start applying for assistance but time is ticking and every day counts.
“I’m emotional because we put a lot of love into this business. If I close my business, I will probably have to go back to my country and live over there,” Minopoli said. “I love it here, I love America and I want to stay here.”
