NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Small business owners are feeling the pressure of weeks with no or little customers. One coffee shop may not be able to make it three more weeks without federal aid.
The owner of Red Bicycle Coffee, Dave Trett, says he's trying to be innovative to make more money, but the business can't keep operating unless he gets paycheck protection program loans.
“We can go like this for another two to three weeks. We definitely have to get the PPP loan in order to stay alive," said Trett.
Trett said he's submitted for the loans, but isn't hearing anything from his bank.
Until something happens, the coffee shop is selling burgers and other Nashville centered food items. Also, more people seem to be buying bags of coffee.
Some people are responding on his calls for help on social media.
“Friends, relatives, friends of our friends and family they’ve been responsive to it. I have about eight to 10 orders to ship out today. We’re going from South Dakota, Minnesota, Tennessee, Michigan," said Trett.
That help has been huge for Trett. The business cut down significantly by laying off a large portion of its employees. Trett isn't proud of that, but wants to be able to hire many of them back when this is over.
“Our margins are so thin where if you increase sales by just $100 a day you multiply that by 30 days or a month, all of the sudden you’ve got $3,000 more dollars to work with. That actually goes a long way," he said.
