Small businesses in Atlanta, including the popular food joint Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, are grappling with substantial financial losses due to recent water main breaks. The extent of water damage resulting in unexpected shutdown of these establishments has underscored the need for contingency planning to handle unforeseen risks. Meanwhile, city authorities are under pressure to bolster infrastructure maintenance to prevent recurrent incidents.
Local entrepreneurs like Derrick Hayes, owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, reported severe infrastructure damages with water flooding causing equipment loss and inventory spoilage. Gigi Woodruff, proprietor of The Woodruff Art Boutique, expressed dismay over the extensive water damages to her priceless art creations.
Water damage woes of Atlanta businesses
Both shared concerns about what this could mean for their futures and the possibility of recurring issues.
Hayes emphasized his worries about the financial impact on the staff during this downtime and proposed including them in the cleanup process. However, he expressed concerns that normal operations could be a long time coming, with potential revenue losses escalating to tens of thousands of dollars.
Similarly, Devin Barrington-Ward, Managing Director of the Black Futurist Group, expressed concerns and suggested the establishment of a $5 million aid fund at the Atlanta City Council. This fund could potentially assist businesses impacted by the water main breaks, supplement insurance claims, and serve as a vital safety net for businesses in critical need.
Hayes also advocated for unity among the affected businesses for recovery and rebuilding customer bases. The upcoming session of the Atlanta City Council will include a discussion regarding Barrington-Ward’s proposition of establishing the $5 million relief fund, demonstrating a collective drive for solidarity.
