03/19/2020
Dear Pioneer Square friends and neighbors,
Due to ongoing landlord and building issues, compounded by the Coronavirus impact on Seattle restaurants, we have decided to permanently close our Pioneer Square location. On a personal level, this unprecedented crisis has given us perspective and permission to take care of ourselves and make some necessary changes.
Our original Burien location will remain open, so we invite you to check out our cozy neighborhood shop, which was named Best Ice Cream Shop in Washington by Travel and Leisure last July. We will be posting business updates regularly during this transitional time so please follow Medzo Gelato Bar and Travel Cafe for updates. Open for takeout tonight and tomorrow from 6 to 9 and 1 to 9 starting next week.
We are grateful for the support we have received during our time in Seattle's oldest neighborhood, and our hearts ache for those who have been impacted by business closures, loss of revenue, layoffs and other hardships. Let's hope our leaders remember small business owner-operators who have lost their sole source of income when distributing disaster funds.
So far, we are only aware of low-interest SBA loans which aren't available to those with other available credit (at higher interest rates, of course). Please share if you know of additional assistance or resources available to the mom and pop's as most benefits do not apply to family-run businesses with no employees. Owner operators do not receive paid time off, sick leave or unemployment benefits. We're on our own during a government-mandated lock down.
Our experience so far has been very frustrating as corporations profiting from this crisis refuse to offer relief when it is appropriate:
Comcast's regular early termination policy applies to those who have had to close businesses or temporarily shut down as a result of the Coronavirus, and the cancellation doesn't become effective for 60 days (a $700 penalty in our case). They are not making exceptions for Coronavirus-related hardship.
Access to healthcare has been greatly limited as a result of Coronavirus restrictions, but premiums have not been reduced. We must pay full price for Kaiser Permanente's Silver Access PPO plan while receiving only basic catastrophic coverage and virtual care. So far, mammogram, dental, oral surgery and chiropractic appointments have been indefinitely cancelled, and though Kaiser doesn't have to pay for these benefits, they are still gouging customers for already-unaffordable premiums. Kaiser Permanente and other big insurance companies should do the right thing and adjust premiums while service is limited. We lose revenue when we can't operate normally, and they should too.
Small business owners must look out for each other so please share your stories and pressure lawmakers to help.
