Whether you visit a dental office or a travel agent, it’s hard to find a business in the Jefferson Westside neighborhood not affected in some way by the current economic recession.
With a county unemployment rate of 12.6 percent in August of 2009, 1.8 percent higher than the national rate according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, small business owners have had to make drastic cuts to survive.
A large mix of local businesses have been affected, including The Graphic Shop owned by Hien Williams.
“It sucks,” Williams said about the current economy, “I’m swamped.”
In December he had to lay off his only two employees in order to stay afloat. Now he is forced to do all the graphic design work himself. Often working 12 hours or longer each day.
“You gotta do what you gotta do,” said Williams.
His isn’t the only small business in the neighborhood that’s had to downsize.
Bonnie Lee Solari is the owner and only employee of Bonaventure Travel. In
August of 2007, Solari had an agent leave. “When I lost an agent, it was, do I hire a new one?” She said. Eventually, her other agents left as well and Solari decided to simply run the business herself.
The hardest part of being the only employee is, as Solari puts it, “if the door’s not open, you’re not making any money.” While Solari may plan extravagant vacations for others, she hasn’t been on her own vacation since 2005, and even that was for work.
The recession has hit the travel business especially hard.
“Obviously, the majority of my business is leisure travel,” said Solari. “When people lose their jobs, a vacation is the last thing they’re thinking about.” She has also lost business in recent years due to the Internet and the ability of customers to book their own travel plans without the help of an agent.
Other businesses in the area have managed to ward off layoffs but definitely aren’t hiring.
Oregon Family Dental Clinic, located on Chambers and West 11th Avenue, hasn’t had to layoff any employees because the office was already small, only four employees, said receptionist Mary Chung.
And while Chung said there probably has been a decrease in the amount of patients coming in for care, the biggest change has been in what they are coming in for.
“More people are opting for extractions instead of root canals,” Said Chung. The root canal procedure is much more costly than simply having the tooth pulled.
However, for some local businesses, it seems better days may be coming.
“September was a really good month,” Solari said. “When historically it isn’t.” She believes that there is still a need for travel agents, especially one like her with 20 years of experience in the business.
“I’m hoping people will realize that I have a benefit,” said Solari.
Things may also be looking up for Hien. He has designed what he calls the beer hoodie: a zip-up sweatshirt with an insulated beer compartment located in the stomach area. There is also a version for babies with a compartment for a baby bottle. He currently has a deal pending with NASCAR for his design, which could mean big money if it goes through.
If everything works out he plans on selling his graphic design shop, which he said has been “barely in business” since it opened two years ago.
Tags: Economy, Jefferson Westside, Jefferson Westside Neighbors, midterm
