NY1: Businesses Try To Stay Afloat After Taking Damage From Sandy

The store had been open for two months when Sandy struck, destroying just about everything inside. Wang thought about closing up shop, but now, she's among the many Rockaway business owners who are trying to rebuild and survive, even if the customers are few and far between. They said it hasn't been easy.

"We're already in debt enough, and we have to go out and repair our business on our own," said Frank Giambra of Mr. Giuseppe's Barbershop. "We're not left with much help."

"I went to FEMA twice," Wang said. "They told me, go to SBA, but SBA only do loans. But I don't want a loan. I want help."

But even though they are mired in debt, not all are hurting. Revenue is up at the New Quick Spin Laundromat, where they are working around the clock to keep up with the demand.

"People drop off laundry, about four or five bags," said Tiffany Gao of the New Quick Spin Laundromat. "They have no clothes. They need clean clothes. So I found an extra help to help my business."

But even with all this foot traffic, the owners say they are just working to keep the business going. All the machines were damaged in the hurricane.

"Every machine, we change it," Gao said. "We spent a lot of money to fix."

http://queens.ny1.com/content/top_stories/173014/businesses-try-to-stay-afloat-after-taking-damage-from-sandy