PORTLAND, Ore. — With the nonstop cold temperatures and winter weather taking a toll across the state, small business owners in Portland are also struggling to stay afloat.
January is already a hard month for retail and restaurant spaces, but Chef Aaron Adams said that the severe weather is making the situation more difficult.
"For us, it's terrible because our customers can't get to us, our vendors can't get to us, and our employees can't get here safely,” said the owner of Fermenter.
Though Adams decided to keep his restaurant open primarily so he could pay those employees who could get work, business has been slow.
“Yesterday, we stayed open just to give employees hours,” Adams said, adding that he will probably lose $12,000 over the weekend, a prime time for restaurants.
"I know that my customers are also struggling, especially during this time of financial hardship. I can't really feel good about screaming for them to come (and) give me more money for nothing, so I guess what I’m trying to do is hold tight," said Adams.
Other businesses are also trying to hold on: Spoke & Word Books owner Cierra Cook said Wednesday is the first day she’s been open since the storm hit.
"A week of being closed ... I mean, that is 25% of our revenue for the month," said Cook. "January is already deeply challenging. Even if we are closed, we still have to pay rent, we still have to pay power, we still have to pay for business insurance. Those expenses don't stop."
Cook said small, unique and personable businesses are what make Portland so special and that she has no doubt the community will see things through.
"We create jobs, we create a place for people to come that isn't work or school, and we really help shape the nature of the community you live in, so if you come out to support us, we get to stay here," she said, echoing other small businesses around the area.