Asian American Cafe Owners Still Feel Post-Covid Whiplash
Asian American cafe and retail owners in Texas are still navigating the aftermath of Covid [https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/03/11/covid-asian-american-business-owners-in-texas-describe-a-whiplash-six-years/]. Market demand for Asian flavors remains high despite ongoing challenges [https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/03/11/covid-asian-american-business-owners-in-texas-describe-a-whiplash-six-years/].
Many Asian American cafe owners in Texas, like Hannah Foy of LauLau in Austin, opened their businesses in response to the anti-Asian hate that emerged during the pandemic. Foy's cafe, which opened in October 2025, puts its values "front and center," declaring itself "anti-ICE, anti-genocide, anti-billionaire, and anti-oppression in all its forms". The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) has voiced concerns about the impact of increased immigration enforcement on the restaurant industry, noting sales declines in predominantly Hispanic ZIP codes. According to the TRA, almost 40% of surveyed Texas restaurants reported a decline in sales, job applicants, or other immigration-related impacts. Adding to the challenges, owners are also facing rising costs due to global tariffs, making it difficult to balance livable wages for employees and affordable prices for customers. Some owners are trying to expand to franchises to counter the economic issues.
