PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Public Schools teachers strike is having an impact on some local businesses in very different ways. Some restaurants say they're hurting for business while others are finding new ways to step up.
At the Hillsdale Food Cart Park in Southwest Portland, Jorge Cristobal said his business, Taco City, has lost about 75% of its customer base since the strike began Nov. 1. The food carts are located next to Ida B. Wells High School which Cristobal said provided the majority of their business.
“It's been hard, you know?” said Cristobal. “You can see the park is empty and we don't really do business without the kids.”
Those working at neighboring food carts echoed Cristobal’s concerns. They're grateful for the customers who are making a special effort to drop by. On Monday evening, that included Nathan Butler.
“We want them to be here when the strike is over,” said Butler, while waiting for his order. “We don't want them to fold and go under.”
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Other restaurants are helping teachers and students during the strike. At Laughing Planet, the restaurant is giving teachers who are on the picket line a 20% discount. They're also giving free lunch to students who qualify for free lunch.
“We're just trying to help, you know? Just trying to make it a little easier,” said Laughing Planet CEO Franz Spielvogel. “There's a lot of families out there that really depend on public schools for far more than just the instruction and going to school, and that's one of the things that I don't think a lot of people understand."
Other businesses are also stepping up. Among them is Bang Bang Cocktails + Curry on Northeast Fremont Street. During the strike, they're offering teachers happy hour pricing all night. At Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom, they're offering teachers and those with school kids at home a 10% discount from noon to 5 p.m.
KGW would like to hear about other restaurants and businesses offering discounts and deals related to the strike. You can email tips to news@kgw.com.