NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) —As restaurants across Nashville focus on reopening efforts some business owners are ready to call it quits, including Shalimar Fine Indian Cuisine in Green Hills.
“It’s a very tough decision,” owner Mobeen Ahmad said.
Mobeen’s son, Yousuf Ahmad, said if it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic they’d likely still be cooking.
“Our carryout business became really good, but not enough to blunt the reoccurring interest of a credit card,” he explained.
Yousuf Ahmad said, despite his 68-year-old father's Parkinson's disease and the ongoing pandemic, his dedication to keeping their family owned businesses afloat never wavered.
“I have no words except thank you Nashville,” said Mobeen Ahmad.
He's thankful that despite having to close their doors for good Monday, May 26, he's still able to pay his employees until the end of June because of the Paycheck Protection Program. However, it only covered operating costs for about one month.
Due to sky high interest rates, just about everything inside their restaurant is currently on sale.
“My credit card interest in balance kept on going and going and there’s no relief,” said the owner.
“It would have just been nice if the credit card companies would have worked with us as big banks often work with big clients,” Yousuf Ahmad said.
Unfortunately, they believe more locally owned eateries could be next. It’s a disappointing sign of the times with no end in sight.
“If I could ask Nashville to do anything, even beyond supporting us, it is to support to the mom and pop shops that are still around and hopefully we’ll come back around as well,” exclaimed Yousuf Ahmad.
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