As Workplaces Consider Hybrid Return To Work, What Will That Mean For Surrounding Businesses That Rely On Employee Traffic

We’ve talked a lot on AirTalk about how companies and employees are planning their returns to working in the office. Many employers are exploring the possibility of allowing workers to continue to work on a hybrid schedule where they’d come to the office on some days and work from home on others. But as these companies and workers grapple with that issue, the businesses that are inside of or surrounding those office buildings and business parks have to wrestle with a problem of their own -- fewer people working in the office means fewer customers coming through for coffee in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or services on the way home from work. 

So, how have these businesses survived through the pandemic when most everyone is working from home, and what do they plan to do if the employees they usually service aren’t coming back to the office?

KPCC & LAist business and economy reporter David Wagner has been talking to local business owners that rely heavily on office worker traffic, and he joins us today on AirTalk to share what he’s found.

With guest host Sharon McNary

Guests:

David Wagner, KPCC/LAist reporter covering business and the economy

Brittney Valles, owner of Guerilla Tacos in downtown Los Angeles

We’ve talked a lot on AirTalk about how companies and employees are planning their returns to working in the office. Many employers are exploring the possibility of allowing workers to continue to work on a hybrid schedule where they’d come to the office on some days and work from home on others. But as these companies and workers grapple with that issue, the businesses that are inside of or surrounding those office buildings and business parks have to wrestle with a problem of their own -- fewer people working in the office means fewer customers coming through for coffee in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or services on the way home from work. 

So, how have these businesses survived through the pandemic when most everyone is working from home, and what do they plan to do if the employees they usually service aren’t coming back to the office?

KPCC & LAist business and economy reporter David Wagner has been talking to local business owners that rely heavily on office worker traffic, and he joins us today on AirTalk to share what he’s found.

With guest host Sharon McNary

Guests:

David Wagner, KPCC/LAist reporter covering business and the economy

Brittney Valles, owner of Guerilla Tacos in downtown Los Angeles