HARLINGEN — With a Facebook selfie and a “see you soon” message, owners at Jackson Street Antiques say goodbye, for now.
Carmen Garza, Mia Garza and Victoria Garza posted on their social media they would be closing temporarily due to COVID-19 and concerns for the safety of their clients.
“For the well being of our family, customers, and community we will be closed for the time being. Our upcoming estate sale has also been postponed. As a small business this wasn’t an easy decision but the right one. The health of our family and community is the most important!” the post reads.
Even though the antique shop does not enter Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order to close dine-in restaurants, gyms and schools, Carmen said as business owners they decided it would be best to practice as many safety procedures as possible.
“It was a difficult decision to close and we thought about cutting hours but we would be still exposing the public and ourselves and it did not make sense,” Carmen said.
“We had to lock the door the other day and tell people they could not come in but we don’t want to expose the community or us. It is better to be safe than sorry,” she said.
Carmen said depending on what the CDC says, they will continue to stay closed. Online sales are going to be encouraged.
“Every day we are closed means we are not making sales. Financially, it is going to hurt, nothing is coming in,” Carmen said.
Consequently, Chris Gonzales, Executive Director of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is working diligently to help as many business owners affected as possible.
The chamber will be helping businesses apply for Small Business Administration loans by appointment.
According to a press release by the chamber, borrowers may receive up to $2 million in assistance to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid due to lost revenue as a result of COVID-19.
“We have to wait on more updates of what is coming. We are trying to get in contact with restaurants and business as much as possible,” Gonzales said.
“I am going to follow up with SBA to see what we can do for our business community for the next 90 days to six months, could be long to help our community members to get back on their feet,” Gonzales said.
To set an appointment with the chamber to apply for any relief program people can call 956-423-5440 and email [email protected]
“We will recover from this but we are going to have to do it together,” he said.
