Lopez owns Javier & C Diner in northwest Denver. He moved to Chicago from Mexico when he was 13 and came to Denver in 1993. He opened the diner in 2003. In the past six months, Lopez has laid off three employees.
The difference is obvious. I used to see people three to four times a week, and now I see them once a month. They say they are sorry, and they say, ‘It’s not you or the food, it’s the economy.’ These are the people who made me strong. I need those regulars.
“I have had to cut corners a little bit here and there. I had a dishwasher who came in at 7 a.m., and now he comes at 10 a.m. I send people home early too.
“When I first started, I would cook and wash dishes, and then for a while I used to manage and walk around and see how things were going.
“Now I am back in the kitchen. I am cooking because I want to give the customers who come in and support me the very best.
“I have been careful ordering too. I check prices and order what I need. I’m trying not to make mistakes because that could cost me my job.
“There are days I don’t want to get up and I want to take a day off, but I care about my business. And then some days you feel so excited. It’s hard for small businesses to survive.
“At home, I haven’t done any repairs or work. My sales barely cover all the expenses now. Some days I don’t know if I will have the money for my home mortgage. It’s pretty stressful because I want to give time and things to my family too.
“On March 1, I am changing my hours and closing on Sundays. Sunday is one of my best days, but for the last 25 years I’ve worked on Sundays.
“My son is 13 years old, and I can’t go to sports events or church or do other things with my family. It’s not only about money; we have values, and we’ll stay together. It was a very hard decision, but it’s my family.
“I’m also giving the day to my employees so they can be with their families. Maybe we can make a new America. I still believe that with this new president we can make it together.”
