Life After COVID-19

As thousands of business owners permanently closed their doors in 2020, due to mandatory lockdowns, no indoor dining services and limited capacity safety guidelines. Many began to quickly and swiftly pivot outdoors in order to steer clear of the glooming shadow of death that is the coronavirus. From building outdoor tent set ups on the streets and sidewalks to constructing brand new outdoor patios in parking lots, business owners are doing what they can to stay open and ensure their customers have a safe space. While it’s unknown when the world will return to normality, outdoor features will remain an integral part of Los Angeles despite the city's recent lift on certain restrictions. Los Angeles County has begun its long-awaited transition into the orange tier after making it out of the most restrictive purple tier in the state’s coronavirus reopening system ,according to the California Department of Public Health. As businesses carefully welcome visitors back inside, it’s unknown if it will last since the city isn’t out of the danger zone yet.

As many businesses took a sucker punch to the gut during mandatory lockdowns, owners have started to get creative about how to survive during this difficult time by moving everything that was once indoors, outdoors. With the county continuing to make progress by entering into the orange tier, many business owners have already begun taking precautionary measures in making their outdoor settings a permanent addition to their business.

2020 was a year most believed would be headed towards fulfilling prosperity and an all around good year. People all over the world prepared to reinvent themselves with new year's resolutions, but instead everyone was left blindsided with a struggling economy and a deadly new virus. According to Fortune magazine, approximately 100,000 establishments that were forced to temporarily shut down are now permanently closed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

FITNESS FACTOR, ARcadia

Kevin Riddle, co-owner of Fitness Factor, and his wife were willing to make sacrifices so that they can keep their business open.

Riddle had a variety of equipment placed outside of his gym for his clients to use during their workout.

Riddle ensured to be compliant with health guidelines while operating the gym.

Alongside many other businesses, gyms and fitness studios have endured some of the most severe limitations caused by the lockdowns, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Kevin Riddle, owner of private fitness center Fitness Factor, has had his doors closed for over a year. As workout facilities remained closed despite the city's approval for outdoor dining, Riddle constructed an outdoor deck next to his hybrid gym to comply with the county’s health guidelines. He built an outdoor training facility in a section of his gym parking lot and decided it will be a permanent addition to his gym property, as it not only abides by health guidelines, but it doubles the square footage of his gym.

Working quickly to build his outdoor training deck, Riddle never had a single thought about the possibility of closing his gym.

“My wife and I had everything planned out. If we had to get rid of everything we possibly could and move in with friends for the time being, that’s what we were going to do. But, we had to keep the gym, if we lost the gym we would lose everything.”

IVANHOE RESTAURANT, LOS ANGELES

Mike Shin, executive chef of Ivanhoe Restaurant, said that he and his staff were unsure of what their next move is should there be another lockdown where they would need to close.

They had the advantage of having an outdoor patio prior to the pandemic. It was one less thing they needed to worry about when complying with CDC guidelines.

Shin created an indoor/outdoor space that was CDC compliant and added more seating for the restaurant. However, he faced difficulties along the way with getting this space approved by the Public Health Department.

Since most restaurants have only been allowed to operate from an outdoor setting, many owners have been eager to open for indoor dining services at a regular capacity. However, most restaurant owners have come to the realization that everyone is still scared.

Executive chef and general manager of Ivanhoe Restaurant and Bar, Mike Shin opened his traditional American and plant-based restaurant three years ago, located on the edge of Silverlake and Glendale. Shin said he is extremely fortunate during the pandemic, because he already had a spacious outdoor patio as part of his operation.

“We’re fortunate because we have a very big patio and that’s helped us out a little bit. But, again because we are a restaurant that is so big, we lost more than half of the capacity we were allowed to sit,” said Shin.

From restaurants to private gyms, business owners are doing whatever need be, to get people back to work, find the best safety solutions and welcome the public back.

Fire Hookah Lounge, Sun Valley

“It was a do or die situation for me. There Was no other option.”

— Andre Kechedjian

Andre Kechedjian, owner of Fire Hookah Lounge in Sun Valley, California, closed the doors to his lounge four times during the pandemic. However, when outdoor dining and seating were permitted he moved his business outside which followed County health guidelines. Kechedjian built a spacious outdoor patio in the parking lot of his business and created a socially distanced area for his customers.

“It was a do or die situation for me,” Kechedjian said. “After four years of being in business, I wasn’t capable of operating without an outdoor patio and it was the only way I could continue my business. There was no other option.”

Andre Kechedjian, owner of Fire Hookah Lounge, said that they have closed down a total of four times, but despite it all, he is making all the efforts to keep the lounge open.

Kechedjian said that due to COVID-19, they have accumulated more expenses than usual in order to be compliant. One of these expenses being their outdoor patio.

The Hookah Lounge also has indoor facilities that have opened up and is CDC compliant as well.

The pandemic has altered the reality the world once knew. Business owners continue to brainstorm the most effective outdoor projects to keep their business flowing, while establishing a safe space to offer their customers even after the pandemic is over.