ORLANDO, Fla. — Business is popping at Paramorre’s Popcorn Junkie, thanks in part to a much-needed summer boost from the NBA.
Neal Crosier’s small business was one of several Orlando-area restaurants that gained business and bragging rights, thanks to decisions by NBA chefs to serve teams and families in the NBA bubble.
“It’s hard with this, small operations have to keep up,” he said. “But that’s good problem to have.”
The decision to specifically feature Black-owned businesses came on the heels of months of protests starting in late May sparked by the death of George Floyd. Millions of protesters worldwide rallied for police reform.
But the protests also engaged more Americans, and American companies, in discussions about racial inequality in every aspect of life, including business ownership.
READ: Big tipper: Russell Westbrook reportedly leaves $8K for hotel staff at NBA bubble site
Research from America’s Central Bank showed Black businesses continue to be denied financing at higher rates than white businesses with equal profiles. The NBA used its influence to promote equality to help even the playing field.
“Without any of that, we would have probably had to close our doors,” said Joshua Johnson, who opened Seana’s Caribbean Food just a month before the pandemic hit the U.S.
He said the boost he got from the NBA bubble was the lifeline he needed.
READ: Stimulus checks: Key dates for the next set of payments
“It gave us a much larger audience, a lot of different other nationalities,” Johnson said.
He said the exposure helped his fledgling business thrive.
“The future is looking really good,” Johnson said. “It’s looking really good.”
