Istanbul’s once-bustling streets now echo with uncertainty as small businesses grapple with COVID-19’s lingering shadow. From aromatic coffee shops to vibrant bazaars, owners face a harsh reality: empty chairs, silent cash registers, and tough decisions. 🌆
\"I stay open hoping for one customer a day—but some days, it’s just me and the seagulls,\" says Mehmet, a street vendor in Kadikoy. Nearby, pub owner Aylin made the painful choice to lay off half her staff: \"We danced through crises before, but this… this is different.\" 🍻
While taxi drivers circle quieter squares and market stalls gather dust, resilience shines through. Some entrepreneurs pivot to delivery apps; others, like vintage bookstore Deniz, host virtual cultural nights to stay connected. 📚✨ Yet for many, survival hangs by a thread—a stark reminder of the pandemic’s uneven toll.
As Turkiye navigates recovery, these small biz warriors remind us: behind every shuttered storefront is a story of grit. 💼🚕
