Monterey Park businesses find a footing in year after tragedy, but it’s been a ‘challenging journey’

Phillip Sam, the owner of Beauty Supply on Garfield Avenue in Monterey Park, has seen better days. But all things considered, coming out of the pandemic and a tragedy that stunned the area on Jan. 21, 2023, it could be worse for his business.

One year after a mass shooting that left 11 people dead and several injured at neighboring — and now shuttered — Star Ballroom Dance Studio, the 15-year-old store, with its aisles full of hair and skincare products, has managed, like other local businesses, to keep going.

It’s an area known for drawing folks to nearby businesses for food and shopping. As Lunar New approaches, there’s hope that that some customer traffic will increase, amid a gradual but tepid recovery through the year.

But given the still lingering memory of what happened last year, it’s a guessing game if that traffic will return.

“Business has been slow, but better than last year,” Sam said.

A year after the tragedy, it’s a similar story for several businesses in the area. While the emotional toll of the shooting cast a shadow over the past year, so did its impact on businesses, many which looked forward to the annual Lunar New Year celebration to bolster sales.

Many were just emerging from the pandemic when tragedy hit amid the beginning of last year’s celebration, prompting many would-be customers to stay away for much of the year.

Slowly, some sense of normalcy is returning, according to city officials, business owners and local organizations.

Many of these small businesses, mostly restaurants, have adapted to the challenges and received support from the community.

Monterey Park city officials recognized the financial impact on small businesses around the studio shortly after the tragedy, as owners started reporting decreased revenue and customer foot traffic, said Economic Development Manager Joseph Torres.

City partnerships with the U.S. Small Business Association and other private and nonprofit organization helped bring grants, low-interest loans, and resources to help businesses recover and rebuild, he said.

With SBA, impacted small businesses were able to apply to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Typically designated for natural calamities – such as hurricanes – it was the SBA’s first use of the EIDL program for shooting tragedy situations.

SBA also offered a “Business Recovery Center,” in June to offer one-on-one bilingual customer service assistance to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations, as well as status updates on their loans.

“Throughout the year we visited and conducted extensive outreach with various local and state officials, our resource partners, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit organizations,” said Barbara Nitis, public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Through these partnerships, we were able to assist the city of Monterey Park and surrounding areas to not only build back stronger but also  to become more resilient in this disaster.”

The tragedy even prompted a visit from SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, who in February toured impacted businesses.

Throughout the extensive outreach and collaboration, about 20 businesses were assisted by SBA, Nitis said, adding that the agency will continue its support in the area.

Among those businesses receiving help through the past year was Traditional Guilin Noodles. It’s right next door to the now vacant Star Ballroom Dance Studio – that has served a savory menu that puts its own spin on Guilin noodles and other traditional Chinese dishes since 2019.

The owner Rui Ping Wu and her son, Zhen – and their modestly numbered team – received a grant courtesy of the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurant Care Resilience Fund, and also applied for the SBA loan.

Since then, revenue has continued to fluctuate, but on average sales are up around 15% to 18% from their previous lows, but they are doing well, Zhen Wu said.

“Business could be better, but we anticipate a full recovery will take time,” he said. “We’re grateful for all the help we’ve received from the city, our community, and nonprofit organizations that are geared toward helping small businesses during difficult times.”

The support from the community and city officials has not gone unnoticed, he said.

“We’re just very thankful for all the support we’ve garnered from our community and city officials, showing that we’re not fighting this uphill battle alone,” he said. “Our only current focus is to strengthen our resolve and adopt a more forward-looking perspective from a business standpoint.”

Zhen Wu said he remains excited for the upcoming New Year celebrations in Monterey Park, but isn’t sure of how big the turnout may be compared to previous years.

“The city has increased its police presence in the downtown district, so in terms of security, we do feel safe,” he said. “It’s hard to speculate on this year’s celebration turnout, so we’ll just have to wait and see. In any case, we’re prepared.”

Kong’s Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association is a martial arts school that was displaced after Star Ballroom Dance Studio closed.

Instructors used to hold classes out of the dance studio, but had their students meet at a nearby park immediately after last year’s shooting and has since found a temporary home at the Chiao Hsin Chinese Language School, about 2½ miles south of their former location.

Kevin Leung, head instructor of Kong’s Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association’s Monterey Park branch, said he’s grateful that the language school offered them a space to meet, but he’s still searching for a permanent new home.

As he contemplated the events that unfolded last year, Leung said the incident has left a mark on the community’s psyche.

“That incident has definitely left its scar. Star (Ballroom) Dance is closed and that building has been empty since,” he said.

With this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations on the horizon, Leung said some people may fear gathering en masse. But he intends to attend Monterey Park’s upcoming two-day street fair – which last year occurred during the same weekend as the shooting – because, as Leung puts it, “life has to move on.”

“I’ll still go down there and check it out. I’ll bring my son. … We as a community still have to move forward,” Leung said.

Leung said others also believe it’s important to not allow last year’s tragedy paralyze them. He noted that many dancers – including some who frequented Star Ballroom Dance Studio – have returned to dancing at Lai Lai Ballroom in neighboring Alhambra.

“People are still dancing. People are still doing what they need to do. That normalcy is important,” Leung said. “We mourn the dead, but we know that in order to not empower the crime and not empower the thought of violence, we show that we are almost unfazed by it, that we are stronger.”

“It’s important that the city of Monterey Park and the Asian community in the San Gabriel Valley is able to move on and come together. This may or may not be the last time we deal with tragedy or shock, and it’s important to grow from it and learn from it – to bring issues like mental health to the forefront,” Leung added.

Other businesses on Garvey Avenue and around the dance studio, such as Fu Zhou Food Store, TS Emporium, and Hong Kong Cafe, had people consistently coming in and out on the Thursday before Sunday’s one-year anniversary since the shooting.

“Small businesses in the area have made significant progress in their financial recovery,” Torres said. “While it has been a challenging journey, the area’s economic state has improved, with increased foot traffic and a return of customers to these businesses.”

He added that the city remains committed to supporting these businesses long-term. Future plans include continued financial assistance programs, marketing campaigns to attract visitors, and initiatives to enhance the business environment.

“I feel proud of how the city and these businesses have come since the tragedy. It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the community,” Torres said. “While challenges remain, the progress made is a testament to the strength of Monterey Park…small businesses are the heart of our community, and their success is essential for the overall well-being of Monterey Park.”

Meanwhile, over at Beauty Supply on Garfield Avenue, Sam keeps finding ways to keep going.

After surviving the pandemic, and decrease in sales due to the events of the shooting, Sam said he took advantage of an SBA loan to keep running the store. He said he follows the city’s newsletter, which informs him and other small businesses owners of any assistance available to them.

With Christmas decorations still up and some added Year of the Dragon decor, Sam said the business was ready to see some foot traffic from the Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park next weekend.

“The festival will bring everyone out again, especially for the Year of the Dragon,” he said. “Hopefully the festival runs well.”

Source: Orange County Register