Dozens of Businesses Close, Show Support for National ICE General Strike

“Am I supposed to close tomorrow?” asked Ricky Smith, owner of Something Good Social Kitchen, the hot dog and burger stand in Playhouse Square, on his Instagram story. 

He wasn’t alone in asking that question. Seemingly in real time, local restaurants and retailers debated whether or not to join thousands of consumers and businesses nationwide in a general strike. The effort to halt, or at least dent, the U.S. economy is intended to express displeasure with the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, particularly its campaign in Minneapolis. 

Many have to shut their doors. Ugly Duck Coffee, Lee’s Seafood Bar, Dewey’s Pizza, Mac’s Backs Books, The Judith, Rowley Inn, Algebra Tea House, Lakewood Art Supply (though its doors are open as a gathering place), and Magically Found are just a few that chose to close today. 

Even more small businesses expressed support for the cause, but chose not to close for the day. The strike, mostly targeted at major corporate retailers, comes amidst days of frigid cold and blankets of snow — conditions that have slowed profits or shuttered businesses altogether. These conditions made closing unfeasible for many.  

“In support of your legal right to protest, The W will open our doors at noon ahead of the protest in Public Square on Friday to provide a space for sign-making, and community gathering,” wrote Detroit Avenue’s W Sports Bar on its Instagram. “We will reopen at 6pm on Friday because closing for another day after weather-related closures isn’t feasible without impacting our staff, many of whom want and need to work. We share in the support and solidarity of our communities, however closing our small, owner-operated business, during a historically slow season is, unfortunately, not realistic for us.”

The sports bar dedicated to women’s sports, however, is pledging to donate 15% of drink sales to OCSILiO, a nonprofit legal organization that defends detained immigrants. 

They weren’t alone in pledges like this. Chef Douglas Katz announced yesterday that Amba, Kiln and Zhug would donate all Jan. 30 proceeds to Re:Source Cleveland, which supports immigrants who recently arrived in Cleveland. Cent’s Pizza is donating its profits for the day to the Immigrant Defense Project and the Cleveland branch of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Dahlia Coffee will donate 15% of profits made today to the InterReligious Task Force of Cleveland, who supports immigrant justice and solidarity through educational programs and mutual aid.

"We are descendants of immigrants," the Lakewood coffee shop said in an Instagram post, "and we understand firsthand the sacrifices our family members made to give us the life and opportunities we have today. This business exists because of those sacrifices."

Others are staying open not to drive business but to offer a gathering space and warming center. Cleveland Rocks climbing gym is offering free climbing all day. Calico Jack in Mentor is offering free drip coffee all day. Hope Yoga Studio in Westlake is offering all of its classes free. Encouragement to, and instructions of how to, call senators and other leaders to express displeasure accompanied some of these sentiments.

Many of the Downtown and Downtown-adjacent businesses — such as Worts and Wards, Paradise Galleria, Loganberry Books, Little Cloud Sandwiches, Beet Jar and Lakewood Art Supply —  said they would create space for protesters before and after a demonstration set to take place at 2 p.m. on Public Square. 

As for Smith, the business owner and philanthropist did not announce a closure by the time this article publish. Instead, he promoted shopping local today. After all, every dollar spent, if you do choose to spend money today, is a vote for the causes and businesses you believe in.

Here are more local businesses pledging their support in various ways.

Six Shooter Coffee
Open today, donating all profits to the ACLU

LBM
Open today, offering a room-temperature cocktail called No Ice and donating its proceeds to Sus Abogados Latinos, a local Spanish-speaking legal defense team

Loganberry Books
Open today, donating 20% of sales to the Minnesota Immigrant Defense Network

Imposters Theater
Open today, donating profits to Re:Source Cleveland

Verbena Free Spirited
Closed today

Climb Cleveland
Open today, offering free day passes and donating all sales to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

Black Cat Books & Oddities
Open today, donating 15% of proceeds to Minnesota Immigrant Defense Network

Bottlehouse Brewery
Open today, donating 10% of profits to the ACLU

Erie St. Vinyl
Closed Today

Cleveland Clothing Co.
Open today, donating 10% of profits to Re:Source Cleveland

CLEvintage Co.
Open today, with no sales tax charged on any purchases made

Thai Thai
Open today, offering a special drink and donating its proceeds to Walk for Peace

Brewnuts
Open today, with a fundraising effort in the works

The Tea Lab
Open today

Shaker Rocks
Open today, donating all profits to the ACLU

Never Say Dive
Open all weekend, offering bottles of Blanton's and other allocated bourbons and donating proceeds to the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, Ohio

FunktiniLand
Open today, donating 15% of proceeds to Re:Source Cleveland

Hexagon Books
Closed today

Larder Delicatessen & Bakery
Open today, donating all proceeds to Re:Source Cleveland

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