Categories: Blog

Our Shops Are Empty—L.A. Stores Devastated by Protest Chaos

L.A. Business Owners Are Getting Hammered—Here’s What’s Really Happening

Let’s be real—Los Angeles has always had its share of drama, but the past few weeks? Next level. Protests have taken over the streets, and while everyone’s talking politics, there’s another story nobody’s paying enough attention to: the mom-and-pop shops getting crushed in the crossfire. We’re talking boarded-up windows, empty cash registers, and owners who look like they haven’t slept in days. And the scary part? This might just be the beginning.

The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Hurt

50% Fewer Customers? Ouch.

I talked to folks at the L.A. Small Business Alliance last week, and get this—some areas have seen foot traffic cut in half. Half! Maria Ruiz, who runs this amazing little clothing store her abuela started in the ’80s, put it bluntly: “COVID almost killed us. Now this? A week of protests wiped out what we’d saved up all month.” She wasn’t crying when she said it, but man, you could hear it in her voice.

It’s Not Just About Today—It’s About Tomorrow

Here’s the thing that keeps owners up at night: what if the customers never come back? James Park’s electronics shop got trashed twice in seven days. Twice! “I can’t keep replacing inventory like this,” he told me, rubbing his forehead like he was trying to massage away a migraine. And he’s not alone—economists are saying some of these businesses might not bounce back. Period.

Why This Keeps Happening

What Started It All

Look, I’m not here to point fingers about the protests themselves—that’s a whole other conversation. But whether you agree with why people are out there or not, the aftermath is hitting innocent people hard. Most protests stayed peaceful, but it only takes a handful of bad actors to scare customers away for weeks.

Curfews: The Double-Edged Sword

Diego Mendez runs this killer Cuban café near downtown. Great coffee, better sandwiches. But here’s the kicker—his dinner rush accounts for like 60% of his daily sales. “I get why they did the curfews,” he says, “but 6 PM? That’s when we start making real money.” Safety matters, sure. But so does paying rent.

Real People, Real Stories

More Than Broken Glass

Lila Nguyen’s bookstore got looted last Tuesday. Thirty years building that place, gone in one night. “You know what they stole?” she asked me. “Spanish-language kids’ books. Like, what kind of message does that send?” Her hands were shaking the whole time we talked. Not from anger—from exhaustion.

People Are Fighting Back (In a Good Way)

Some owners are getting creative. Crowdfunding campaigns, social media pushes—there’s even this #SaveLAStores thing blowing up on Instagram. The message is simple: if you want these neighborhood spots to survive, you’ve got to show up. Literally. With your wallet.

How Businesses Are Trying to Stay Alive

Band-Aid Solutions

Everyone’s scrambling. Online sales, insurance claims, you name it. But here’s the brutal truth—insurance takes forever, and “forever” doesn’t pay next month’s electric bill.

The Long Game

Maria (from the clothing store) said something that stuck with me: “It’s not about fixing the store. It’s about fixing the feeling.” Smart, right? Some owners are pushing for tax breaks, others are hosting community events. Whatever works to remind people they’re still here.

So What Now?

Is it hopeless? Nah. But it’s gonna take more than thoughts and prayers. Next time you’re walking past that boarded-up bodega or taqueria? Try the door. Buy a coffee. Grab a book. Because here’s the cold, hard truth—that $5 you spend might be the difference between seeing that place again or reading its obituary in the local paper.