KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new year doesn't mean things are getting easier for struggling small businesses in the Kansas City metro.
Kim Moffitt, owner of Twin City Tavern, said the worst still may be yet to come.
"Truly without another PPP round I don't know how much longer we'll make it," Moffitt said. "It's bad, our industry's really, really hurt."
Moffitt said 2021 is off to a rough start considering the business lost out on its regular New Year's Eve celebration business.
Bartender Ellie Miller said the business has taken a significant hit since the latest COVID-19 restrictions went into place, which include a 10 p.m. closing time.
"A lot of our volume was from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. so it's definitely hit us really hard," Miller said.
Moffitt said she's grateful for regular customers.
One customer we spoke to who only wanted to be identified as Jeff is one of those regular customers.
"We try to support them as much as possible and I just hope it takes a turn for the better," Jeff said.
While the city has taken steps to support small businesses such as partnering with local organizations to provide relief loans and proposing to waive certain fees, Moffitt said she doesn't feel supported by elected officials.
"They could be saying hey it's a hard time why don't we supply some hand sanitizer, why don't we help you guys with masks," Moffitt said.
If she could get one message out to Kansas City it would be to support local as much as possible.
"I don't care who local it is, support local because that's what's important," Moffitt said.
