SEATTLE — Jade Garden Restaurant in the Chinatown-International District has been open for 17 years, but this year has been a struggle.
"2020 has only been three months and we've been hit so hard," said Eric Chan, whose family owns the restaurant.
Chan says his family can't seem to catch a break. Mandated social distancing led to empty streets and a decline in business. On top of it, Chan found out vandals broke a window at the restaurant's banquet hall entrance early Thursday morning.
Chan and his family say this is just another punch in the gut after trying to stay afloat during such a tough time.
The window has since been boarded up with the help of a good neighbor.
Seattle Police are investigating, but say right now there's nothing to indicate this was a targeted incident.
"It sucks, it sucks right now, you feel helpless," Chan said.
Chan says his glimmer of hope through it all is the support he's received from people in the Support the ID Facebook group, which was created when neighborhood businesses began to suffer financially as the Puget Sound area was hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
"It's a small Facebook group of 13,000 people. It makes me say, hey there's people out there that are looking out for us," said Chan.
Chan is thankful customers continue to support his family's business using their take-out and delivery services.
Businesses throughout the CID are reaching out for support during this time.
The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation & Development Authority, along with the CID Business Improvement Area and Friends of Little Saigon have created a small business relief fund to support restaurants and other small businesses in the neighborhood.
Here's more information on how to donate.