Before the pandemic, things were going well for couple Josh and Alysa Albelda, who owns a burger business called Burger Garage.
The burger joint, which used to be located in a small space in Makati City, was usually packed with people.
Unfortunately, when lockdowns were imposed in 2020, "umaaasa lang kami sa deliveries and takeouts," he recalls. "Hindi [siya] enough to sustain the business." Social distancing wasn't also possible in the restaurant, so they made a tough decision to close down their one and only branch.
Eventually, Josh—who works as a photographer—also lost his job in ABS-CBN. "Noong nag-start 'yung pandemic, we were still hopeful kasi alam naming meron kaming babalikang opisina... pero [dahil nag]-close [ang] ABS-CBN, nawala rin lahat 'yun," he shares in an interview with Summit Media.
But despite the challenges they had to face, the two never lost hope.
Adapting to "the new normal", Josh and Alysa opened a new spot in San Juan, which has an al fresco dining area where customers can safely enjoy their burgers. "Dito sa newest branch namin mas maluwag, and [mas] makakapag-accommodate kami ng mga customers."
"Since nawala yung work ko tapos nalugi pa yung business, kung hindi kami magri-risk, walang mangyayari sa amin," he shares.
As a couple, Josh and Alysa always enjoyed taking road trips and finding the best burger places, and this inspired them to launch Burger Garage. "Nag-start sa garahe lang talaga tapos doon nabuo yung Burger Garage."
Watch the couple's inspiring story below!
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