CHARLOTTE, N.C. (NCC NEWS) — Rhino Market and Deli has seen the worst in the last few months. Recently the business has experienced a huge decrease in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic as many small businesses have all over the country.
“COVID has slashed and burned; we’re down 45 to 50 percent across the board in our business,” Robert Rondelez said. Rondelez is the owner and founder of Rhino Market & Deli.
Not only has Rhino Market lost nearly half of its business, but Rondelez had to lay off half of his staff. He had to cut back from 90 to 45 employees due to the effect of Covid-19. “It was hard, you’re worried about your business and your livelihood, and then you have to let people go,” he said. Many employees were able to qualify for unemployment and are slowly being brought back to work.
Each day brings a new challenge for Rondelez and his market, figuring out new ways to attract business and stay afloat during these hard times. Rhino Market has adapted by completely turning to take-out style, and Rondelez says they will continue to improve each day and will not give up. “I have said throughout this whole thing, that I am not losing my businesses, no way, no how. I am going to do whatever I can to protect them,” he said.
Rondelez spoke about seeing the positive in every situation. He says that with all the negativity and loss that has happened to him, his business can only improve.
