Businesses in Salinas worried about a potential TikTok ban

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): Some small businesses in Salinas are worried about a potential TikTok ban.

Villa Azteca opened in Oldtown Salinas five years ago. The owner, Leopoldo Becerra said his business has grown a lot, thanks to TikTok

"I think it's really important because you know it's the only way to make it better," said Becerra. "Everyday we are just trying to make publications on Instagram and Tiktok."

Concerns are growing about the future of TikTok. However, those concerns are growing after news of the House of Representatives passing a bill that would ban the social media app. The U.S. Senate will still need to approve the ban.

Becerra said if the ban continues as planned, it would impact the future of Villa Azteca. Just like Villa Azteca, other businesses also use social media to promote their work.

Other business owners thinks TikTok is an important tool to grow their business.

"For the year 2024, we were thinking ok, this is the year where social media keeps on growing and growing," said Marlene Garcia, owner of Karnaval Cafe & Brew-N-Krew. "So, this is our opportunity to grow even bigger, so, yeah uploading more on social media such as TikTok."

Garcia and Steven Corona are owners of Karnaval and Brew-N-Krew in Salinas. They and other small businesses, use social media to promote their business.

A TikTok ban could change how they operate.

"We can't even imagine us getting or having social media banned where we can't promote." said Garcia.