“We are all screwed.”

These are the words of Chef Jason Witzl, owner of Ellie’s, Ginger’s, and Lupe’s—a massive, brand-new space that recently took over the northwest corner of Third Street and The Promenade—and it’s a sentiment echoed by food industry workers and business owners.

Witzl said 90% of his reservations have been canceled. Business—even delivery—is down 75%, as the state directs bars to close and restaurants to cut business in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

And more news may be on the way: Mayor Robert Garcia was set to hold a conference call with restaurant owners Monday afternoon as the city, along with the state and nation, take drastic measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Every day it gets worse,” said Long Beach Coffee & Tea owner Tom West. “It keeps dropping: We’ve lost 60% of our business.”

People often forget the scope of the food industry, immediately connecting to bars and restaurants. But events are equally connected to our food business environment, hiring caterers, servers, bar managers, food and liquor distributors, and more.

“When an event cancels, there is nothing—zero, nada,” said Dana Buchanan, co-owner of Primal Alchemy Catering, who spent last week in Las Vegas at a nationwide catering and event planners convention. “Catering, event planners, floral, rental companies, decor designer and suppliers, valet, lighting and sound, DJs, bands, photographers, bar services—I can go on and on. There are literally  people crying here [at the convention]. It’s hitting Long Beach hard.”

This has led to furloughs and layoffs, particularly in the catering and planning businesses, as events both small and large continue to be canceled nationwide.

Beyond caterers and independent contractors losing out on events, restaurants are fighting two fronts: on one hand, to maintain a patronage of some sort—be it dining it or take-out—and on the other, with other restaurants.

“Things are getting scary out there,” said Luis Navarro, co-owner of Lola’s, The Social List, and Portuguese Bend. “We just tried to go to Restaurant Depot and it felt like the apocalypse. Thousands of people were there scrambling to stock their restaurants. Things are still civil, but once folks can’t get stuff I think civility goes out the window. We are about a week out of collapse if we keep the same line.”

The scope of the effect has broadened since Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he will immediately close bars, wineries and other drinking establishments this past Sunday in response to the spread of coronavirus. While restaurants have been spared from full-on closures, they have been asked to limit attendance by half and increase social distancing by spreading tables no less than 6 feet apart.

Newsom’s move affects the 355,540 people who work in the food industry in the county, the largest private sector employer.

However, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti took it one step further Sunday evening, directing all restaurants to shut down except for take-out and delivery, something that also has an effect on Long Beach businesses. For example, Congregation Ale House will not only have to shut down its Azusa brewing location but now struggle with the possibility of Garcetti’s extension moving into Long Beach.

“Compliance and public safety is in all of our best interest,” said Congregation owner Travis Ensling, but he questioned the timing. “The first case of this virus was in January—and we get an eight-hour notice to shut down our brewery? This affects 400 souls in our small company.”

While it remains unclear if Garcia will follow Garcetti’s example in closing restaurants, it has caused the food industry in Long Beach to prepare for the worst.

“If people can’t get access to food, fighting ensues and it’s riots all over again,” Navarro said. “I think a lockdown is inevitable—as to what we do, I honestly don’t know. We’re meeting with our work family this morning so that we can have a very tough conversation about the future.”

Brian Addison is a columnist and editor for the Long Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] or on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.