As California reopens this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state stands ready to help small businesses welcome back customers, as he visited several local shops in Oakland on Thursday.
The governor rolled up his sleeves and donned an apron at Graffiti Pizza in Old Oakland, where he tossed pizza dough and announced that small businesses can get more dough from the state to help with reopening.
"We’re putting $4 billion in grants; we don’t need any more loans," Gov. Newsom said. "We want grants to small businesses in the state."
The governor also stopped by Beastmode Barbershop, which was closed for 11 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It’s going to take awhile," said founder Tyranny Allen when asked if customers are returning now that the state is reopening. "I think it’s going to take another six months to a year to really ramp up to where we were."
Gov. Newsom said California's economy cannot come roaring back without small businesses, which makes up two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S.
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