Better the next day: Halal street food thrives to-go with a simple recipe — optimism, good food and hungry neighbors

Aasma Tufail, Chai Shai

While countless local restaurants have struggled through pandemic-served challenges, business has been nothing short of amazing for Brookside Pakastani staple Chai Shai, said Aasma Tufail.  “I cook simple food — and people love it so much. I am so blessed, business has been better than before,” said Tufail, who owns the restaurant alongside son, Kashif,…

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A place to belong: Business model built to shatter intimidation lifted City Gym through COVID’s heaviest season yet

Hailee Bland Walsh, City Gym

Ahead-of-the-curve thinking helped keep City Gym strong in the early days of COVID-19 when the weight of the pandemic dropped on people-focused industries.  “We lost a fair amount of members — maybe they couldn’t  financially afford it anymore, maybe they didn’t feel safe,” said Hailee Bland Walsh, founder and owner of City Gym in Waldo.…

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