After several challenging months of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, neighborhood eatery Lou & Mike\u2019s in East Long Beach is closing on Wednesday, Nov. 25.<\/p>\n
Owner Mike Balchin didn\u2019t mince words when it came to the reason for the restaurant\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy pockets are only so deep,\u201d he said. \u201cThe neighbors, they like the place, but there\u2019s only so much we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
A business owner\u2014he’s a former owner of River’s End Cafe in Seal Beach\u2014real estate contractor and lifetime honorary member of the Long Beach Police Officers Association\u2019s executive team, Balchin has deep roots in the community. Giving up Lou & Mike\u2019s, which first opened its doors on February 11, 2018, hasn\u2019t been an easy decision. Balchin said he even sold his home in Naples to help support the restaurant, but it wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to stay but I can\u2019t do it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Now, Balchin is hoping to find a buyer to take over the space, equipment and\u2014ideally\u2014his crew.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a team ready to go,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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