(MANTECA) Do you think it is a coincidence that the day of the city council meeting, when Raunak Bazaar business owners would confront officials on road closures bleeding the business dry, the problem road would open up?
I don’t.
But it happened here in Manteca.
“Our business opened the last week of January this year, and we invested lots of money to serve our community and create local jobs,” said Pavan Kaur, a Raunak Bazaar representative told the Manteca mayor and council on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at a regularly scheduled city council meeting.
After three months of opening, in April, Austin Road was closed without any advance notice, she said, adding "our sales dropped almost 30 percent."
“In August, Woodward Avenue was closed, and this road was very important because it was directly connected to the residential area," she said.
City-controlled traffic closures cost Raunak Bazar a 65% loss since January 2025.
That closure cost the local market another 35% loss, bringing the overall decline to 65% since January.
“Because of the major loss, we are facing serious financial hardship,” she said. “It has become very difficult and expensive to continue to run our business.”
Not only did she plead them to open the road as soon as possible, she politely asked for some monetary support due to the city’s direct responsibility.
Raunak Bazar representative pleads for elected officials to open roadways to the business that is not in a deficit due to local construction work
“We want to continue serving our community, and keep the employees working,” she said.
That was when City Engineer Kevin Jorgensen II confirmed it will not change anytime soon, promising a meeting the following morning on Dec. 17.
"No, it is still being held up, and we have a standing meeting tomorrow," Jorgensen said. "We are going to emphasize how we can get it open sooner."
Is there any timeline?
City Engineer Kevin Jorgensen II telling officials the city cannot help a local business that is losing business due to roadwork
"No, not right now, it keeps getting pushed back," Jorgenson said.
Why?
Jorgensen said "there is a crossing due to a gas line easement" causing a conflict, and the San Joaquin Council of Governments is working with a third party to resolve it.
There is also no timeline on when Austin and Moffitt will be readily available.
OpGov.ai founder and publisher, Chirag Kathrani, was the only way to stand up for the local business owner, immediately offering solutions after introducing the AI-generated platform, followed by real-time local reporters.
Kathrani explained he has driven by the business, realizing “they are facing an extreme hardship.”
The media publisher called out Vice Mayor Regina Lackey.
“I heard the Vice Mayor speaking heavily on small business being the key to the community,” Kathrani said.
He also highlighted how elected officials lauded the United Way of San Joaquin County fundraiser, bringing in up to $20K in funds for small businesses in the community?
Why can't the use some of that to help the local bazar out?
OpGov.ai founder Chirag Kathrani confronts the city council on behalf of the local market.
Until a possible donation is made, an immediate solution is likely, according to Kathrani, who told officials to do the construction work at night when the business is closed.
“That would have at least kept this business in better shape,” Kathrani said, adding “real action” is needed now.
“Delaying is not a solution for a small business,” Kathrani said. “And I only shop in a small business and I feel this is the duty of the city council to make it an urgent issue.”
The market website location page prompts visitors to "stop by and explore our welcoming store," but patrons cannot enter due to city construction.
By any means its a Raunak bazaar is a huge small business.
Recent Images of Raunak Bazaar as shared by the Business Owner
OpGov.ai emailed city officials at the time this report went to print, and offered a fair, hard Friday deadline for an answer to what went down in that standing meeting. Please return by the end of the day on Friday.
If you have anything to add to this report, please email me at reporterangelaunderwood@gmail.com.
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