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Small business owner Diana Petrone on small businesses’ struggles after Hurricane Sandy.
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Month since hurricane sandy ravaged the East Coast New York governor Andrew Cuomo on Capitol Hill today seeking federal aid for the victims of superstores sandy.
Both new York and New Jersey requesting.
79 billion dollars from the federal government in order to rebuild.
But there are still many folks picking up the pieces trying to rebuild their lives and their businesses.
Like my next guest who lost her entire store in the storm she says the government has done nothing to helper and finds herself in a circle of red tape.
Here to share her story is Diana the -- -- -- Coming on the show for tonight I really appreciate thank you very much for having me in letting me tell Matalin my story but the story of many small businesses that are in the same predicament that I am right now.
We'll tell me what happened because you have a -- that have been around since what 2004 tell me about your business well I've been in my stuff about nine years -- it is my heart and soul.
On the is that not just bagels we do everything fraction homemade and -- hello of the community.
You're very involved in community at very involved in the community.
We Tony I'm.
It left me with nothing on Monday I had a business -- was prepared on Tuesday morning to open not.
And when I got there I had nothing lasted ransacked the start after the Waltz.
Did you with their standing water in your store what -- it -- -- up on it took me till Wednesday to be able -- get -- because they couldn't even get the water table to go down in front of the store until Wednesday afternoon.
There was nine feet of water in the star and twelve feet of water.
Outside of the -- -- one of the neighborhood cards actually floated past my -- that's how high -- you're on cast my morning.
So when you didn't -- and with an obvious CU that it was a total loss what what did you -- why -- get in the windows were blown out and before we even attempted to get into the style which the back those barricaded and the gates -- are first word I'd open a ball.
I just got to my knees and cried it was such a heartbreaking because you aren't so hard on this business right we actually just rip -- -- the source six months ago.
I mean everything in it was brand new and we put our heart in our soul into everything in not -- -- and to see it tossed around like that and to mileage to was.
Where can you describe the sadness how could be to reach out to for help everyone.
Good luck -- you know it took awhile for it to sinking and it's still at this point doesn't feel -- But you think there's -- -- be help of course is going to be -- I pay my taxes I do everything I'm supposed to do right.
And -- -- just assume of course some of new currency -- and nothing.
-- -- contacting -- -- did contact FEMA FEMA said they only help homes and I'm not taking anything away from homes they need as much help is seeking -- The FEMA does not help small businesses Small Business Administration.
Hunt.
Small businesses initiation at this point there's nothing in place except for loans.
To help businesses recover.
But I'm wrong with that.
Well most novice is already have loans minute you can -- economy hasn't been doing to allow for the past couple years Philip small businesses and not self sufficient we -- not.
Do this on our own coconut the lawyer couldn't really you couldn't pay off another -- -- need another no I don't pay on I don't add another line it's not a Smart.
Business decision for me to open at my door is not even known of my community still left standing.
-- -- -- -- My had it staffing not a small it up small business decision that's -- appropriate I think.
Now what you're not only a small business operator you -- have a three year old -- -- I haven't gotten.
I'm the mother -- -- -- she's my three and a half year old we're -- a picture of her right he actually called the bagel beating.
She's.
In and that's -- since she's been -- she's actually I'm.
The question is committed asked about her more than they ask about me she's -- it's -- -- family RR ES BC my mom and my dad and narron my fiance Ed.
I'm wearing -- all the time it is a family operation now you say it's not just you in this predicament there are businesses all over.
This region actually who are in the same situation -- -- facing the same problem you are -- of course isn't exactly not just about me this is something widespread and I've spoken to many of the businesses in the communion that -- friends with.
Well that we've reached out to each other in this -- that need to just show support for each other.
We are all in the -- boat.
None of us have they got have gotten any help.
And if you going to rebuild you have to be a 100% on no because you can't stay closed.
I have no income coming in I have other.
You know my you only use -- even qualify for unemployment now like -- and another at the misconception but as the office -- of my corporation.
I'm I'm not eligible for unemployment fifteen employees what are they doing right now they're waiting for me to -- they are so loyal and I give my family.
They have we have become each other's family that they are justice heartbroken.
And their families count on many.
And they are doing everything they can to help.
And to wait -- -- to reopen how optimistic are you that you can get back up and got very I didn't do not admit defeat.
I above my still -- an above my community and we will be back hopefully very soon where have actually been now on their every single day we have not -- to die.
We will be up and running very soon.
He convinced meantime thanks for coming -- day today much I -- species I appreciate your coming on telling this story is I think more people need to hear that yes thank you think yeah.
