Businesses that relied on students buying lunch each day are eager for kids in Westchester to get back in class.
The owners of 600 Deli Grill in Yonkers say they thought they hit the jackpot when they opened across the street from Roosevelt High School. Business was good until it all came to a screeching halt when the pandemic hit.
Chris Tolentino, part owner of 600 Deli Grill, says sales plummeted as soon as schools closed. Tolentino says a good 35% of the deli's business is from school students and staff.
Gio Mira, of the famous Peppinos Pizza, says students and staff were the backbone of the business. Mira says sales are down 20% and could use a boost.
Business owners say they want kids and staff to come back when it's safe, hoping that will be sooner rather than later.