Business
In Chicago, Some Businesses Report Pandemic-Era Drop in Sales Amid Immigration Raids
As ramped-up immigration enforcement efforts continue across the Chicago region, some businesses report that sales are as bad as they were during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I thought after COVID, like, alright, we’re in the clear,” said Adrian Zamudio, owner of Angelo’s Stuffed Pizza in Archer Heights. “We don’t have to think of anything spontaneous or something to survive anymore. A couple years later, here we are again.”
Zamudio said that since the start of the Trump administration’s so-called “Operation Midway Blitz,” there has been a noticeable decline in business.
On any given weekday at lunchtime, Zamudio said, the restaurant would normally be packed with customers.
On a recent 3 p.m. visit, it was quiet. Zamudio said the restaurant would typically be buzzing that time of day with kids coming in after school or parents picking up food for their families.
He said slow sales have forced him to close shop on Mondays.
Angelo’s Stuffed Pizza is one of many local businesses facing challenges.
In Belmont Cragin, Hangry’s is experiencing a decline in sales and customer traffic. Victor Gallardo is a co-owner of the restaurant, which has been operating in the neighborhood for seven years.
“I feel that it’s the pandemic one more time,” Gallardo said. “The only difference is that back then, there was support from the government. … But now it’s just so difficult for everybody.”
Illinois is home to thousands of Latino-owned businesses contributing millions in tax revenue.
Take Little Village, a neighborhood with a predominantly Latino population. It generates nearly $900 million a year in business, according to the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
However, business owners are now reporting losses in sales of between 50-70% since the start of escalated federal immigration operations.
“We stimulate the economy,” Gallardo said. “In our own way we keep it going and not only by spending, also by working, by producing, by helping out.”
Jaime di Paulo, president of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said the fear of ICE raids is devastating not only to restaurants but to businesses in general. He pointed out that if a restaurant is losing 40% of its business, that also impacts suppliers, who also begin to suffer.
“So it’s devasting for the whole ecosystem,” di Paulo said.
Di Paulo said there’s currently a lack of grants to assist struggling businesses, but his organization has been mobilizing to provide people with resources.
“We’ve got a team of people walking the business corridors just giving people hope and giving people tools so they can improvise how to do business better, how to use the internet,” di Paulo said.
Amid ongoing financial uncertainty, some businesses are stepping up to support their communities. Angelo’s Stuffed Pizza said it’s donating 40% of sales to the Street Vendor Association and offering free delivery on Nov. 11-12.
“Helping communities, especially in hard times like this, we know that it’s going to come back around one way or another,” Zamudio said.
Hangry’s recently hosted a fundraiser, donating 100% of sales to organizations that support families impacted by ICE.
“From the business point of view, whatever we could do to help out, why not do it,” Gallardo said. “Maybe it won’t impact as many people as we want, but also any little bit helps.”
He said the Hangry’s fundraiser raised $12,000. The sum will be donated to local organizations such as the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and the Hermosa Chamber of Commerce, which will distribute grants to families affected by ICE. The funds will help cover essential needs, including food, rent and child care. The initiative highlights how communities are coming together to support those in need.
