Thread by @latimes

California’s economy is reopening a year after the pandemic began.

But this rebirth is playing out more cautiously in places like East L.A. which was devastated by the pandemic in ways more affluent parts of the city could barely imagine.
latimes.com/california/sto…

While some beach districts are seeing surges in business, the recovery in places like Whittier Boulevard is going more slowly and deliberately.

Here, people are shellshocked by illness, death and job loss.
latimes.com/california/sto…

Miguel Dominguez and his son Jesse are worried that pandemic shopping habits will become permanent.

“People who used to buy from me would tell me that it’s cheaper there, so they stopped coming,” he said. “We can’t fight against those monsters.”

Cecilia Rodriguez, owner of Cecy’s Eyebrow Threading & Salon, said she had noticed Whittier Boulevard growing quiet even before the pandemic.

But her business has done fine because it relies on appointments. During the seven months her salon was closed, she saw clients at home.

Isabel Tellez who runs Abuelitas Sewing Machine & Repair shop feels a mixture of eagerness and fear at seeing more customers.

While she needs the business, she feels nervous when there are even three people in the shop.
latimes.com/california/sto…

Jose Antonio Olvera who owns Olvera Music said he lost 30% of his business during the shut down last year.

He says selling $100 guitars to people learning a new skill out of boredom sustained the shop.
latimes.com/california/sto…

Though his store is doing better, Olvera worries about the long-term impact of the pandemic on the Latino community. Many are still out of work, or grappling with a year of unpaid bills.

“If the economy isn’t better, reopenings aren’t going to make a difference,” he said.

Read about the slow recovery on Whittier Boulevard via reporter @r_valejandra and photographer @MelMelconPhoto latimes.com/california/sto…