How Covid-19 Impacted Local Businesses

How Covid-19 Impacted Local Businesses

NACHIKET KERAI

Business Manager

Two businesses that are very important to Cupertino High School students have either closed or are closing in the near future. The Kebab Shop, a middle eastern restaurant chain at Mainstreet Cupertino, closed at the beginning of the pandemic and has not opened since. The Target located at Main Street Cupertino is closing within the next month and a half. The Target at Mainstreet Cupertino is set to close on June 26th. While Target was not negatively impacted by the pandemic, in fact Target experienced record growth, plans to expand in other areas in Cupertino and the proximity to another store on Stevens Creek led to the Main Street Target’s future closing. This spot is somewhat sentimental to CHS students. The store was a hub for students to meet during lunch time, a place to buy food, and a general hangout area. Sujay Mehta, a junior at

CHS, reflected about the Cupertino Target, “The

Mainstreet Target is an important part of Cupertino Culture, it is an important place where students and nearby residents could access”. CHS students and residents nearby the store will be definitely affected. Residents and students will have to access the Target which is further down

Stevens Creek.

Despite the timing, these businesses are not closing due to the pandemic.

The Kebab Shop at Mainstreet Cupertino closed at the beginning of the pandemic; a “permanently closed” sign hangs outside the store. While The Kebab Shop has closed its Cupertino location, it has expanded in other cities over the country during the pandemic. Like Target, The Kebab Shop is focusing on different business strategies during this pandemic. Before shutting down, The Kebab Shop was always bustling with students during lunch time and after school. This restaurant was another hot spot at Mainstreet Cupertino for many students. Dozens of students would line up to order The Kebab Shop’s popular fries and bowls. Sean Chang, a junior at CHS, often ate lunch at The Kebab Shop,

TKS was my go-to restaurant at Main Street!

“I would often go there and get a wrap or some fries with a couple of friends. Now that it’s closed, I’m not sure if there are similar options that are available, which is quite sad”. Like Chang, many other Cupertino students and residents will definitely miss this important restaurant.

Since the pandemic hit, companies are looking for other ways to increase their profits. While Target and The Kebab Shop did not close their locations because they could not afford to keep them, they shifted their business plan and invested in locations which draw in more traffic and profit. Cupertino students will definitely miss the Mainstreet Target as it is essentially an important part of CHS culture.