ATLANTA — It’s not every day a small business owner gets an opportunity to chat with the president of the United States. For brothers Neal and Samir Idani, owners of NaanStop in Atlanta, it’s exactly what they spent their Saturday morning doing.
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As part of President Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan”, he’s been taking time to talk with small business owners across the country. While only in its second week, the featured business is based in Atlanta.
Samir and Neal own NaanStop in Atlanta, Georgia — and like many small businesses around the country, they’ve been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. I gave them a call to hear their story and talk about how the American Rescue Plan will help businesses like theirs. pic.twitter.com/9FjudVGsMJ
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 13, 2021
The fast-casual Indian restaurant has three locations in the City of Atlanta and according to the Idani’s, they’ve lost nearly 75% of their business since the pandemic hit nearly a year ago. The brothers say they’ve not let go of any staffers but through attrition, they’ve gone from 25 employees down to 15.
Neal and Samir say they’ve had to make a huge adjustment, like many other business owners and have gone to a largely delivery and take-out business. They both are very afraid it isn’t going to be sustainable over the long haul.
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The brothers told the president their biggest hope is that everyone gets vaccinated so small restaurants like theirs can open the doors to anyone wanting to come visit for a good meal.
NaanStop has three Atlanta locations: One downtown, one in Atlantic Station and one in Buckhead.
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