BNP Paribas cancellation impacts local businesses
Over the weekend, the much anticipated BNP Paribas Open was cancelled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The decision is impacting more people than just visitors and athletes. Local businesses are also bearing the brunt.
"I think what the Indian Wells Tennis club has done is disgraceful," Coachella Valley resident, Jean said.
Jean did not want to identify her last name or where in the valley she lives. She's upset over the cancellation, and what it will do to her and so many others.
"This is a time when we can all make some money. The restaurants during the summer, it's quiet. There's nothing going on and it helps us to pay our mortgages," Jean said.
Jean rents out her place to visitors this time of year for events like Coachella, Stagecoach, and the BNP Paribas Open.
The night before the event was set to kick off, organizers canceled the tennis tournament shortly after the Riverside County Department of Public Health issued a local health emergency due to the coronavirus.
Other businesses were also directly affected by the cancellation.
"My team and I have been out there for the last 5 days, putting everything together," Piero's Pizzavino owner, Sheri Pierationi said.
Pierationi and her staff were one of the restaurant planning to service the tournament.
"I personally got a call at 7 o'clock last night after my staff had told me they saw it on Facebook," Pierationi said.
She says a short time later an organizer called her to break the news.
"Most of the businesses in this seasonal desert that we live in, you make the bulk of your money for 4 months and then you have a shoulder season, but if you don't make it then, it's extremely costly," Pierationi said.
Pierationi hasn't begun calculating her losses.
Meanwhile, local chambers of commerce banned together and released this statement saying in part:
"We are supporting our members and area businesses as they prepare by training employees to use best practices. We encourage businesses to run as usual and remain calm and careful. Creating health environments is key for consumer confidence."
