Community assist pours in right after Extended Beach front cafe proprietor posts heartfelt online video about having difficulties company
Support is pouring in for a Extended Seashore cafe operator following an emotional past-ditch plea for aid as the small business was on the verge of closing thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In a tearful movie, Oscar Rodriguez, who opened Cantarito Molito’s Grill on Pacific Coastline Highway just about a yr back, could be seen tearfully informing his clients that his enterprise has been drowning in credit card debt and may perhaps possibly close.
“I really don’t want to near my doors. I want to retain likely due to the fact I do imagine in this beautiful restaurant,” Rodriguez said, as he struggled to struggle again tears. “I know I need to have to continue to keep likely due to the fact support is on the way, but I really do not know I can keep heading.”
Like millions of company house owners struggling to stay open, Rodriguez suggests bills are piling up devoid of cash coming in—not even ample to buy meat for the couple of orders he had.
“I looked in the drawer and I only had like $50 in there,” he stated, urging people to help as significantly as they can.
The emotional, heartfelt video captured the hearts of a lot of in the local community who listened to Rodriguez’s calls for support to hold his 30-calendar year very long dream alive. As of Sunday afternoon, the video has picked up in excess of 90,000 sights.
Robert Reedy, a resident from Whittier who traveled to Lengthy Beach to consume at Cantarito Molito’s Grill , reported Rodriguez’s video clip “really touched me simply because I know how a lot it took for him to make that video, to be that open and lay it all out there it brought tears to my eyes truly,”
Rodriguez claims Cantarito Molito’s Grill is a lot more than just a cafe—it is a element of his local community, and one particular he provides back to.
Some of his loyal buyers who were dining at the restaurant Sunday explained Rodriguez is recognized to deliver people jointly with great food.
Rodriguez’s have staff established up a GoFundMe account to take donations to hold the restaurant heading. As of Sunday night, the account surpassed its fundraising aim of $15,000.
With the new assistance, Rodriguez explained he hopes to keep on to whip up the very meals that has designed prospects pleased and comprehensive. He included that he may even seek the services of an added worker with all the help he’s acquired in just the last 48 hours.
“Everybody is asking me, what does this do? It’s like a battery — it recharges me. I feel like I can do it,” Rodriguez reported. “I want to consider the time to say to anyone thank you. Thank you so considerably.”
Jennifer McGraw reviews for the KTLA 5 Information at 6 p.m. from Lengthy Beach on Jan. 31, 2021.
