A new beginning
Though plenty of people had ambivalent perspectives on this next phase — hopefully the end — of the public health crisis, others were full-throated in their joy.
“It’s been torture,” Sandy Marchioli, owner of Godmother’s Saloon in San Pedro, said of the shutdown. “I kept wondering if everything I’d worked for was just going to be taken away.”
But now, she’s planning a “welcome back” celebration for the iconic “five-star dive bar,” as it’s known, for this weekend, with the return of live music.
The bar nearly shuttered for good during the pandemic. The saloon, on West Seventh Street, has $50,000 in debt and faces a lawsuit from one of its liquor representatives, Marchioli said.
But now, the grand reopening Friday night, from 9 p.m. to midnight, marks a new beginning. The live music lineup includes performances by Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers.
“We’re very behind on all our bills, but I’m going to try my best,” she said. “People are in a great mood, happy to be back.”
And there were more reasons to celebrate Tuesday: Coincidentally, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation launched its summer program the same day the restrictions lifted.
Amelia Mayberry Park in South Whittier was one of 56 county parks that held their grand openings Tuesday, which was a good thing for youngsters trying to beat the heat.
For the first time in more than a year, the park’s splash pad opened. By noon, more than 10 kids were getting wet and cooling off.
“I’m extremely happy and excited to get these kids out running around having a good time,” said Clarissa Serpas, who brought her three children, Lucy, 5, Sierra, 3, and Pearl, 2, to the park.
And even business owners who were apprehensive, such as Pla at The Stache Bar, still expressed their overall excitement about the day.
“We’re really just happy,” she said, “to feel like we can start to put this behind us.”
Maria Salinas, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, agreed.
“All communities win with the lifting of restrictions; businesses large and small can return to full capacity, rehire employees, and thereby support their families,” Salinas said in a statement. “Small businesses have been hit extremely hard, especially women and minority owned businesses, and June 15th is the ‘hope’ which they needed to keep their entrepreneurial dreams alive.
“Los Angeles’ business community is ready for this moment,” she added. “The regional economy is poised for a bold recovery, and everyone has a crucial role to play as we come back stronger and more equitable than before.”