ATLANTA — New unemployment numbers for Georgia will be coming out later today but first-time claims continue to drop week to week. Still, thousands are losing jobs and businesses are closing.
But there’s one iconic business in Atlanta still hanging on.
Sig Samuels has been in the dry-cleaning business for decades but they’re struggling with many not going out, traveling or going to an office.
The business has cut hours and employees as they fight to stay open.
“We’re keeping it going, third generation family-owned business,” said owner Steve Collins.
Collins' grandfather bought the business in the 1960s, passed onto his father and he continues the legacy.
“This has been the toughest time we’ve been through,” Collins said.
It’s also tough for individual workers, some now out of work since March.
Single mom Whitney Crockett still hasn’t been able to collect her unemployment benefits from the state since qualifying in late June. She says her calls go unanswered.
“So right now I’m literally running on credit cards,” Crockett said.
Crockett now looks for a new job mostly online.
“Because you send your resume out to a bunch of different ones and may get a reply, or may not get a reply back because so many people are looking for jobs,” Crockett said.
[Georgia tourist economy expected to recover in 2021, experts say]
New numbers will come out Thursday, but Governor Brian Kemp admits many industries are still struggling.
“We’ve got to focus on anything about tourism, business travelers because that affects restaurants, hotels and obviously folks like Delta Air Lines,” Kemp said.
That also includes dry cleaners.
Sig Samuels got help with the federal loans just to survive.
“It’ll help you get through a month, make payroll for a week, and then what do you do after that?” Collins said. “We’re going to do everything we can at Sigs to keep it rolling.”
Cox Media Group
