IRMA NEEDS A VACATION

My name is Steve Dial. Nearly 20 years ago, our office building was constructed across the street from Irma's Place in downtown Stockton. So, as a lover of Mexican food, I immediately went to Irma's to test drive the food and I, and many of my office mates, have been going ever since. I have known Irma Gutierrez for 20 years. I can attest to how hard she has worked over that time. I can also attest to the challenging times she has had to endure. Her primary clientele is the downtown workers. Recessions have all but killed her business. The dot-com implosion chased many workers away.

During the great recession, much of the government workforce downtown was severely reduced. Police officers, county and city workers and the private sector left. And then the pandemic shut everything down for months. All the while, Irma kept the restaurant open seven days a week. She was in the restaurant cooking and serving every day, most of the time with only her sister helping out. Irma also shops for the restaurant supplies before opening at 7:00 am and stays after closing to clean. More recently, like many businesses, she has had trouble getting additional help, so Irma has worked alone. When it became too much to be open seven days a week, she started closing on Mondays a few months ago. That is a lot of energy required for a 70-year-old. She has also had personal tragedy. A few years ago, she had her husband and son, both very ill, in two different hospitals. Irma drove a big circle every day to Stanford to see her husband and back to San Joaquin General to see her son. Her son passed away shortly thereafter. Her husband recovered but became very ill earlier this year, and he also passed away. Irma was still running the restaurant, even on the day of his funeral. It was heartbreaking seeing Irma grieving for Mario l but still on the job.

I have been lucky to be able to take nice vacations. When I go on one, Irma asks where I am going. Usually, it is Hawaii, and she talks about how much she would like to go there.

I would appreciate it if we could successfully crowd-fund a Hawaiian vacation for the most deserving person I know.

Steve