Los Gatos Business Owners Challenge Coronavirus Headwinds

LOS GATOS, CA – They may throwing caution into the teeth of the coronavirus hurricane, but Kathryn Funari and Bill Gustin are hopeful their Los Gatos venture can be the rare 2020 business success story.

They're already navigating uncharted waters.

Amid a pandemic that's decimated small businesses throughout the country, they just hung a "We're Open" sign for Fat Willy's Antiques at 14 North Santa Cruz Avenue over the weekend.

The couple of 30 years ran Fat Willy’s out of a 13,000-square-foot location in Pacific Grove (Monterey County) they shuttered in January.

The reaction to their opening amid this small business nuclear winter has been predictable.

“Everybody, not only friends, even customers have said ‘you’re nuts,’” Gustin said.

“What do you want to do, lose a bunch of money?”

They might be crazy, but Funari and Gustin aren’t stupid.

They signed a month-to-month lease at their new location in case the economy collapses, and have downsized their retail space to 1,000 square feet. Funari said they’ll rotate their inventory and keep some items in storage.

Their hope that they’ll succeed amid a grim business climate is based on their sense that residents of the South Bay city have an appreciation for the rare and unique items they specialize in.

“It’s got a great presence,” Funari said of Los Gatos. “The people there still love antiques and it’s a good community.”