Dozens of businesses east and south of Charlotte had to close their doors or adjust their operating hours during the Charlotte's Web operation, conducted by the Border Patrol in November, which caused them a great economic impact from which they have not yet recovered.
To support many of these businesses, the following initiative was launched: Eastern Force which involves giving gift cards in exchange for people shopping in East Charlotte.
The recovery will be slow.
Greg Asciutto, executive director of Charlotte East, the organization sponsoring the campaign, said there are at least 400 independent businesses or companies in the eastern sector of the Queen City, which encompasses the corridors of Central Avenue, Eastway Drive, Albemarle Road, Sharon Amity Road, among others.
“Local foot traffic has not returned to normal levels and will not for some time. Many businesses are still losing thousands of dollars a day; I’m hearing of a decline in daily revenue ranging from 20% to 80% compared to early November,” Asciutto noted.
Asciutto estimates it will take at least three months for businesses in East Charlotte to recover.
One of these businesses was the Manolo's Bakery , located at 4405 Central Avenue, which closed its doors during the week of the operation, from Saturday, November 15 to Friday, November 21. According to the latest report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 425 arrests of immigrants were made.
“I didn’t want to risk my clients because the agents were constantly arresting people around here,” he told Enlace Latino NC Manuel “Manolo” Betancur, owner of this bakery, which became a key point for demonstrations and support from Americans and young people who protested against the raids.
Betancur said his losses that week were between $70,000 and $80,000, because it was one of the busiest weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving Day.
Objective of the initiative
“Eastern Force” It is a campaign designed to quickly reinvest money in the Eastland area's small business ecosystem after a tumultuous November, according to the campaign website.
According to Asciutto, it is estimated that between November 15 and 22, half of our independent businesses closed unexpectedly for at least one day, resulting in an average daily loss of $2,500 in revenue.”
See below for the list of businesses eligible for the Fuerza del Este campaign:
How to participate
The premise is simple:
-Spend $25 on any eligible business Upload your receipt and we'll give you a $50 gift card to spend at your favorite business in January 2026.
Spend $50 and get $100. Find all the information by entering at Fuerza del Este Strength in Every Store Front
-There is a limit of one entry per person
-The Fuerza del Este campaign will close once the funds are exhausted ($15,000)
According to Charlotte East, not all of the listed businesses currently use gift cards.
“We are working to ensure that many are prepared for this when the winners make their selections on January 5,” Asciutto said.
Fuerza del Este plans other initiatives, such as a fund for Grants for small businesses, culinary tours and community dinners during the first quarter of 2026 will accompany this initiative.
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
