Denver Small Businesses Relieved After TikTok Restored Amid Federal Ban
DENVER – Small business owners across Denver breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday as TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, was restored just hours after it was temporarily taken offline due to a federal ban. This action was prompted by legislation requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations by a Sunday deadline or face removal from app stores, including Google and Apple.
Alejandro Flores-Munoz, a TikTok personality and owner of Combi Cafe, expressed his concerns for small businesses like his that heavily rely on the platform for marketing. "It’s been a roller coaster, for sure," Flores-Munoz said, noting that the app has helped him connect with potential clients and promote his catering services, which include providing meals to local homeless shelters.
President-elect Donald Trump has signaled his intention to issue an order upon inauguration Monday to grant ByteDance additional time to find a buyer, thus averting immediate disruptions for millions of users and small businesses who use TikTok as a vital marketing tool.
Local entrepreneur Tyler Kanwai, owner of TKs Surf & Turf, echoed the sentiment, stating that TikTok has been crucial in exposing his business to a wider audience. "90% of the time, our customers say they heard about us through TikTok," Kanwai said, emphasizing the app’s role in elevating his local seafood restaurant to national and even global recognition.
The ban’s temporary suspension has reignited conversations about the essential role social media plays in supporting small businesses, with many owners emphasizing TikTok’s unique ability to connect them with broader audiences. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on finding a resolution that benefits both ByteDance and the thriving small business community that relies on its platform.