Black-owned business reopens as fight for justice continues in Seaside

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) A protest on Tuesday put the spotlight on the black community in Seaside. But business owners within the community said they are still suffering the effects of the pandemic.

George Pinsham III owns a barber shop called "Side Affects" and he got back to work on Tuesday after getting the green light to reopen under the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been nerve-wracking," Pincham said. "Altogether, you know, my heart’s been involved in this.”

Now, months after his initial closure, Seaside is facing the pressure of another challenge. Protests have erupted in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis Police custody. And, on Tuesday, there was another large demonstration in Seaside.

“We stand behind what they’re standing for and we understand that us being open gives even more light into what the bigger problem is,” Pincham said.

Pincham said that problem is police brutality and overall racism throughout the country. But his business stands against all that with its diverse staff and clientele.

“It was important for us to open as a source of inspiration,” Pincham said.

And customers agree--including a high profile visitor on Tuesday.

“Everybody taking their safe precautions," Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby said. "And getting their haircuts. And it’s just wonderful.”

Local NAACP representatives said this kind of inspiration is needed. And that's why Broadway--a main strip in Seaside--looks different now than it used to.

“Barber shops, grocery stores, hair salons, barbecue joints that were all owned by black business owners,” Executive Director of NAACP Monterey County, Yvonne Thomas, said.

Now, they say, the cost of living has gotten too high and not everyone knows about these places to shop, eat and get their hair cut.

“Just because they’re black-owned businesses doesn’t mean that only black people can purchase from them,” Thomas said.

The NAACP also said they hope the movement will continue to call attention to these businesses in the greater community.