BEAUMONT, Texas — Empty parking lots, abandoned tables and outdated newspapers are piling up. This is reality for some businesses who've been forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's always disappointing," said Bill Allen, president of Beaumont’s Chamber of Commerce.
3.2 million people have filed for unemployment just last week. But with parts of the Lone Star State reopening, some businesses in Southeast Texas are celebrating the opportunity to get back to work.
Others say the damage is already done and have decided to close their
doors for good.
"It doesn't matter whether it's the pandemic or something else that's forcing them to close. We want to see everybody succeed," Allen said.
The Kolache Factory and The Grill in Beaumont are among a handful of businesses that have decided to close indefinitely as a result of this financial crisis.
Allen said businesses are in a tough position.
"Gosh, if you have to stay home and not get paid, that hurts you. That hurts you in your personal pocket book, so we're certainly hopeful that phase one and phase two of the Governor plan starts to get us going," Allen said.
The industries most impacted by coronavirus restrictions here in Southeast Texas are restaurants, hospitals and oil and gas, according to officials.
"Some jobs will take longer to come back. Some jobs may not come back at all," said Lauren Van Gerven with the Texas Workforce Commission.
The agency is reporting a 7.5 percent unemployment rate in Southeast Texas. That’s the highest it's been since Tropical Storm Imelda.
With more than 15,000 unemployment applications processed from March and April, Allen said the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce is trying to support businesses anyway they can.
"Just calling to see first how are they doing; are they open? Have they changed their hours? And then also, trying to determine what we can do, what we can recommend to help them out during these uncertain times," Allen said.
The Texas Workforce Commission said there is good news. Several industries are already starting to open up and hire staff. They're hoping that will lead to a decrease in unemployment numbers.