Two days into the federal-government shutdown, lower Manhattan eateries were already fed up with worker furloughs that have crippled their businesses.
“Business is down 35 percent; it’s a big hit for us,” said Mario Martone, manager of Worth Cafe, one of several restaurants near Federal Plaza that rely on a throng of federal workers fueling the eateries’ lunch business.
Martone was outside on the sidewalk, trying to tempt potential diners with chicken-quesadilla samples.
“Trying to survive the next couple of weeks of this is impossible,” he said. “That’s why I’m out here trying to solicit business.”
“It’s terrible, ever since yesterday at lunch time. So slow,” noted Jenny Lee, owner of Mon Cher Market, a cafe-deli on Broadway that stood quiet at about 1 p.m.
“It’s very depressing. Hopefully this doesn’t last much longer; it would be very bad,” Lee said.
“I’m really upset at Congress and the president. He needs to control both sides. Hopefully, they compromise.”
“It’s hard to survive in America. We came to this country for the American dream, and when something like this happens it’s very upsetting.”
La Bellezza Pizzeria owner Billy Karpuzi was stationed at the door of his Broadway eatery in nearly clean chef scrubs when he was asked how business was.
“You don’t see me standing here?” he barked. “I’m not working. Usually I’m making pizzas at this time.
“It’s very slow. About 30 to 40 percent slower,” said Karpuzi, eyeing a mere four lunch patrons inside. “If this goes on like this another month, who’s going to pay my $10,000 in rent?”
Fed-friendly pub Maxwell’s on Reade Street — which on Tuesday was packed with just-furloughed folks after they were sent home early — was only half full at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“There’s nothing going on today, we’re usually busy at this time,” said bartender Paul Carolan. “We usually would have reservations at this time for tables of 10-15 people, mostly federal workers.
“I normally wouldn’t get a chance to talk to you. I’d be running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
“If it goes on much longer, it’s not going to help,” Carolan said. “I have bills to pay, too.”
Worth Cafe’s Martone said he feels for his furloughed clientele.
“It’s totally unfair,” he said. “Congress is getting paid and a lot of my customers are not.
“They’re not working so they don’t buy lunch — and then when they come back, they don’t have the money to buy lunch. It’s a double whammy.
“It’s the old story; the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.”
“It’s not fair to us small-potato guys,” Martone said. “It’s not like we have some [cash] reserve. You’re pretty much surviving hand-to-mouth.”
John Zambrano, manager of the Icon 24 parking lot on Worth Street, said he, too, is feeling the effects of the forced Federal Plaza exodus.
“Today we are off 50 percent, because all our customers work for the government,” he said.
“It affects everyone. It creates a domino effect. It really sucks.”