Will your local ABS survive this shut down?
 

Here in California all "non essential" business are closed due to the Covid 19 virus.

It makes me wonder - how many adult book stores might go under from being forced to be closed for a couple of months? The staff is all laid off - but the rent will continue. Even if businesses get a tax break next year because of the virus do you think your local Adult Book Store will be able to reopen? We have a couple around here that I am not sure of - it seems like they are hanging on by a thread now.

I wonder the same thing about the restaurants, gaystores & bars in West Hollywood, Los Angeles (like the Eagle, Fautline, Akbar), San Diego, Palm Springs & San Francisco

A lot of these businesses do not have the cash reserves to survive a long shut down - and because of their "specialty" probably would find it difficult to get loans and funding.

Some here in Houston are relatively new or are operating on a shoestring. Several are doing virtual events -- drag shows on social media, etc -- to support performers with an online tip jar, not to mention publicity and goodwill. Some are adding food service so that they can operate as take-out or delivery, food plus alcohol, under the way the #stayhome orders are implemented here. And of course, many organize GoFundMe's, food drives, etc., including funds for (unfortunately) laid-off employees as well as the general public efforts here.

Local sentiment is that we all want to step up, just as we did with Hurricane Harvey.

Food service from your local adult book store?

Oh that leads to some perverted ideas! :-)

It's actually food from local gay bars, although I read a news story a week or two ago about a Portland, OR strip club that was sending their scantily-clad ladies out to deliver food, like GrubHub or DoorDash with an extra thrill.

Arizona
 

Our ABS are still open for the most part here in Arizona.

Mojavebottom - WOW!

Here everything "non essential" is closed - especially anything with close contact.

Irrational fear has gripped the nation. Those in the target population need to isolate. The rest of us move on.

Although this virus is scary - but the economic effect is scary as well.

It seems clear that most businesses will be told to remain closed at least through May - and possibly longer.

Some estimates say 30% or more of restaurants could go out of business because of this.

The local ABS for me re-opened when the Governor opened the state back up. I stopped in the day after and got a fat one by chance. I got messaged on another site by a guy that asked if I wanted to meet there since I was in the neighborhood. I figured since it just opened the place my be safe still, having set empty for a month and he and I had sheltered in place at our respective homes. I haven't been back because I know that the virus can linger for days on certain surfaces. But I know it gets regular business. And it is owned by one guy so I think it will stay in business for a long time or at least until he sells or dies. He is a miser and sometimes when I am paying I see his computer screen and he has his investment portfolio open. I should see if he would sell the business to me. LOL

FWIW, here's news from USA Today - today! - with recent CDC guidance. The headline says a lot, but check the story for details: The CDC says coronavirus 'does not spread easily' on surfaces or objects. Here's what we know.

I wonder if cities will use COVID as a justification to shut down more adult businesses - bookstores with booths, theaters, bathhouses.

The bookstores have been opening back up - but not all of them have opened the video arcades yet.

I am hearing reports that a couple of the bathhouses in the Valley may be gone forever. Once confirmed I will update the Cruising listing - but the extended shut down is not easy for a small business to survive.

Thanks jonn, for any updates you can provide!