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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Food service from your local adult book store?

Oh that leads to some perverted ideas! :-)

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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.

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

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Mojavebottom - WOW!

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

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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

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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.

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Thanks jonn, for any updates you can provide!

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