The Times is following some small-business owners through the economic downturn, and some food businesses are on the radar. In the Bronx, Michael Menna of Menna’s Quality Meats and Salumeria is worrying over a big Con Ed bill and has already been cut off by some suppliers. “There were days where you almost feel like you want to close the doors and walk away and say, ‘I can’t do it anymore,’” he told the paper. At Alfanoose in the financial district, owner Mouhamad Shami says business was down in November by 35 percent: “’The price of oil went down, but all of my prices are still up. What they are waiting for? Leg of lamb, it’s still the same price. Beef, Angus, it’s still the same.’”
