Struggles go on for small businesses

Seafood restaurants, uniform shops and local grocery stores don’t usually have too much in common, but since the implementation of the six-month moratorium by the federal government, these smaller businesses have at least one thing in common – the threat of economic disaster.

Al Mahler, owner of two Big Al’s Seafood restaurants on both the east and west side of Houma, has been forced to close his east side location.

“I had to close because rig workers would come to the east side for lunch, and because of the oil spill they don’t come anymore,” Mahler said.

His west side business has also taken a hit because of the rising price of seafood, and people being afraid to eat it.

“Business is okay, but not great,” he said. “I used to sell about 400 pounds of crab, and now I sell about 100 pounds. I’m hoping it will get better and people will start eating seafood again, because I’m selling more steaks than I have in the past, and I own a seafood restaurant.”

Mahler remains optimistic, and wants to reopen the doors of the east side location when the economy gets better.

“There’s a possibility I might be able to reopen in January for crawfish, but I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

Another business that has been feeling the effect of the moratorium is Pat’s of Chauvin.

With less parents buying school uniforms right away, Pat Chauvin isn’t sure what’s going to happen.

“We have a complete inventory [of school uniforms] all year in all sizes, so people know we will always have them,” Chauvin said.

“As far as long term? Nobody knows, and I think that’s why people are being cautious because the unknown is frightening.”

Even Rouses Supermarkets, who have yet to feel as hard of an effect as some other smaller businesses, worry about the unknown future.

“We are hesitant of what the future will bring,” Allison Rouse of Rouses said. “We haven’t felt any effect yet because we still have been supplying regular boat customers that are involved in the clean up efforts.”

But Rouse does admit business might slowly taper off when clean up slows, and if there’s no lift on the moratorium.

“We have to just keep going full steam ahead with what we’re doing – keeping good relationships with customers and giving them what they need,” Rouse said.

Some local government officials think preparing for the worst isn’t good enough, and are doing what they can to see the moratorium lifted.

“Although I understand and respect the federal government’s position on safety, a six-month moratorium would destroy parishes and counties along the Gulf Coast that rely heavily on oil and gas as a way of revenue,” Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams wrote in a written testimony to be presented at a forum on offshore drilling in Lafayette on Sept. 13. “In our case, six months is the equivalent of two to four years.”

She continued: “It results in employee layoffs and the subsequent reduction of their income, impacting their abilities to pay mortgages, household bills, tuition, fewer dinners out, shopping trips and other dollars spent in the local economy.”

To highlight the impact of local economy dollars being pinched, Williams explained Mahler’s east side business closing resulted in an almost $20,000 loss of income each month.

“The effect of the moratorium will have far more lasting effects than anyone can even conceive,” Williams said. The moratorium’s effects will reach from the oldest to the youngest, and at the end of the day, what will it prove? This is a result of human error, and I don’t think that one man’s greed should cause another man to need.”

Williams has asked for the support of any small local businesses that have been affected by the drilling ban when she goes to Lafayette next week. Those interested can go to tpcg.org for contact information.

Big Al’s Seafood owner Al Mahler (bottom right) spends his Labor Day loading alligators onto his catering truck and talking with employee Jeremy Grubbs. JENNA FARMER