VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The summer months are when the tourists flock to Virginia Beach and when Baja Restaurant typically makes the most of its money.
But 2020 has been anything but typical.
With Labor Day in the past and most of the busy tourist season behind him, Baja owner Jimmy Reeve says it's been a struggle handling COVID-19 restrictions and the loss of business because of the pandemic.
"I don't think anyone's come out of this unscathed. We're not out of it yet but I think all the small business owners, you have to find a way to make it work," he said.
For the Sandbridge restaurant, 'making it work' meant filling the normally busy outside social space with tables.
Dinner customers were treated to Baja's beautiful sunset views over Back Bay, but it just wasn't the same, Reeve said.
Now the focus shifts to the Fall and efforts to bring in more locals.
"It's the locals that keep us in business throughout the year so please keep supporting your local businesses," Reeve said. "We're still trying to keep all our people employed through the holidays but we need people to come visit us, as well as I'm sure a lot of other restaurants."
Reeve says he plans to keep the restaurant's morning cafe portion, Baja Coffee Company, open for another couple weeks. Then it'll just be the restaurant open through the end of the year.
A hope that 2021 brings more of a return to normalcy.
Baja Restaurant
3701 Sandpiper Rd #4325, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 426-7748
