Q&A with Carole MacDonal from La Cosecha and Il Cortile: COVID-19

Here’s another Q&A with Carole, in regards to small, local business and how they are dealing with the COVID-19 concerns. Annie and I have been enjoying both La Cosecha and Il Cortile since they opened and have been fortunate to get to know Carole fairly well over the years. It’s heartbreaking to see these small businesses suffering so much but it’s also quite interesting to see what they are doing to pivot and deal with the current circumstances.

Thank you to Carole for doing this and again, folks, please get out there and support the local businesses that are still open. They need us now and when they are able to re-open, we will need them. These are our friends, our neighbors, and as my friend Gina D. says, they are the heart of Paso.

Matt: We are living in some crazy times with this coronavirus/ COVID-19 thing. How are you hanging in there personally?

Carole: Personally, I vacillate from being OK and calm to anxiety attacks and everything in between. I am fine when I don’t think about our businesses and when I am distracted from the basic fear of the virus itself.

Matt: How have your businesses been hit by these recent issues?

Carole: We have had to close Il Cortile and The Truck and we combined our menus and have that menu offered at LA Cosecha for Take Out.

Matt: What are you doing to try and mitigate the impact?

Carole: Well, the take out business helps a bit and we have applied for all the SBA Loans that we qualify for.

Matt: Are you providing any deals, specials, or other services during this time?

Carole: Yes, each week we try to come up with package deals for families and couples like, Margarita, Margarita. IT is 4 Margarita cocktails, 8 tacos and 1 Margarita pizza!

Matt: Do you have a message to your regular customers or to customers in general?

Carole: We miss them so much and want to thank them for their support during this time. We see a lot of regulars at least once a week for take out and a lot of them have bought gift cards as well. It is so heartwarming to see the support we have from our customers who have really become our friends. I find it difficult to not be able to talk to them for a while plus share some time and a few laughs as we do when they are actually in the restaurants.

Plus, our employees, miss them as well….. can’t wait to see them again in the restaurant!

Matt: Any advice to other small business owners?

Carole: Read everything you can to find out what you are eligible for. When you are home, try to enjoy the quiet time in any way you can. I am doing a puzzle, doing home projects, gardening, etc. It keeps your mind off of all the scary issues of the day!

Matt: Anything else you want to bring up and discuss?

Carole: I hope when we go back, smart minds prevail and politics stays out of the healing!

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