CARLSBAD — Businesses all over California have been shut down due to COVID-19, and many may not be able to reopen.
James George, a realtor in Carlsbad, is working to save local businesses by donating 50% of his commissions.
George intends to raise more than $100,000 and to help local family-owned businesses like Sky Zone, which has locations in Carlsbad and San Marcos.
Due to COVID-19 cases rising across California, Gov. Newsom announced on July 6, 2020, that many businesses across the state would have to shut their doors once again. This is having a real effect on business owners, staff, and local communities.
Many businesses were unable to survive the first lockdown and never reopened. Businesses that did manage to stay afloat are now shut back down for a minimum of three weeks, with no idea what the future holds.
Josh and Michelle Rathweg, owners of Sky Zone, talked with George in an online interview on July 7, explaining the business had exhausted all government funding, all business and personal savings, and has $170,000 worth of outgoing debts.
Rathweg is currently pulling money from his 401k retirement fund to keep the business alive, but these funds will run out, and the family will have to file for bankruptcy.
After recording the interview, George realized he had to try to save Sky Zone and other local businesses in need.
“My father went bankrupt when I was 11 years old and I know first-hand how financial difficulties break up families and how it can affect people’s lives,” George said. “I can’t sit back and just watch this happen when successful hard-working people are getting shut down for no fault of their own.”
To find out more, visit homeissandiego.com/blog/donations.
