Our friend and Woon regular, Richard Tranley, came by to document the effects of COVID-19 on small businesses.
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Easily one of LA's favorite newcomers, Woon in #HistoricFilipinoTown quickly grew from a popup cart serving their infamous chewy noodles, to a warm dining space where we could all share @blablablessyou's childhood favorites. With @MamaFongMakes cracking tableside jokes to pair with her Shanghainese comfort food, it was if they opened up their living room for us to enjoy the simple pleasures we took for granted. But how do you keep the family-style spirit alive without being able to sit at the same table? Owner Keegan Fong shares how he's had to adapt since Mayor Garcetti announced #SaferAtHome:
"It was literally like opening the restaurant all over again." New ideas to stay alive were implemented immediately...it was actually a pretty interesting project. A good example: one day I decided to offer private delivery service to areas that Caviar doesn't deliver to. I knew I had a big following in the Pasadena area so I sent out a newsletter and social flyer on how to order delivery to that area the next day. We had no clue what we were doing but the phone was ringing off the hook for prepaid orders, and had almost 40 orders and 1 employee to drive it everywhere. Last minute, I called my brother-in-law to come help do some drop offs. I felt like a crazy person trying to map out 40 different delivery routes and also try to manage how to cook all of it logistically. That day was close to the most stressful day of my life. It was also the same day that Eric Garcetti announced 'Safer at Home' and I got served with a lawsuit for my Handicap parking. It was just too much to manage."
With their relentless survival instincts and immense support from the community, Woon is now in better spirits & has since gone back to their roots with their iconic cart parked in front, fully equipped with the same inviting crew ready to greet eager diners as they swing by for quick catchups and contactless pickups. If you haven't yet, check them out and support small businesses as they continue to #PlayTheChanges.