Most Read Business Stories of 2020

SAN ANGELO, TX – Here Are The Top 10 Business Stories of 2020 Voted on By You!

#1: Apache Pulls All Rigs from the Permian Basin; Others Could Follow

The number one business story of 2020 was the breaking news that Apache shut down all their rigs in the Permian Basin. This was in the midst of the Russian-Saudi Arabian oil price war. This story had 56,040 page views. 

#2: WATCH: H-E-B President on Product Shortages

One thing that no one will forget about 2020 was the toilet paper hoarding. This trend gave us our number two story business story. In the story H-E-B's President Craig Boyan ensured everyone that they would not run out of products. This story had 40,208 page views.

#3: Governor Abbott Announces Plans to End Business Shutdowns

Coronavirus struck in March and since then a number of businesses were asked to close to help "contain the spread" of COVID-19. In the third place article Gov. Greg Abbott called an end to the shutdowns and set out a plan to keep small businesses open. This story had 38,587 page views.

#4: Coronavirus: IRS Announces Website for Stimulus Checks

Three cheers for the "Donny Bucks!" Since the government forced businesses to close theirs doors they decided to pay them a little money. In the fourth place spot, San Angelo LIVE! readers were thrilled they were about to receive a $1,200 check from the IRS. Stay tuned as more checks should be arriving shortly. This story had 38,587 page views.

#5: San Angelo's Next Crisis

Rounding out the top five is a story regarding San Angelo's regional food bank. "Concho Valley Food Bank Executive Director Lee Pipkin said demand is up 133 percent already and his supply chains have been disrupted by the coronavirus panic. Hoarding, especially in the initial days of the economic shutdown, reduced supply from upstream providers like the big box grocers," wrote Joe Hyde in the article. This story had 20,855 page views. 

#6: If Someone Burns Down My Fiddle, I'm Gonna Lose It

During a time of political unrest, a popular San Angelo bar was threatened after having a special called MAGA Monday. Coming in a number six, the MAGA Monday story hit close to the heart as they had just recently been allowed to reopen from the coronavirus shutdown. In an attempt to bring in more people the Owner of Fiddlestrings decided to make a special day for American beer and liquor. “We make promotions every season,” explained Allen. “Texas Tuesdays, You Call It Thursdays, Wet Wednesdays,” she said. MAGA Mondays was a variation on Texas Tuesdays where drink specials revolve around Texas-made beer and whiskey. The MAGA Mondays would showcase American spirits. “Proudly American beer,” Harris added. This story had 17,882 page views.

#7: The Angry Cactus Goes 'Savage' on City Code Compliance Enforcement

Number seven's spot belongs to the man who is never afraid to give his opinion on city government, Owner of the Angry Cactus Tim Condon. In this story Condon was upset about the city attempting to fine him for putting up curbside service signs during the restaurant shut down. He was ultimately never fined and told San Angelo LIVE! that he believes he won that battle. This story had 14,157 page views.

#8: Bar Owners Protest Being Forced to Go Broke

After the Government decided to let restaurants to open and left bar to sit and collect dust, bar owners in San Angelo protested. The number eight story on our countdown includes a number of San Angelo local bar owners including owner of the deadhorse "Lil Dawg" and 1933's owner Garrett Engle. This story had 13,743 page views.

#9: Popular San Angelo Barbecue Joint Closes

In 2020 a number of businesses felt the shut down struggle and a number of them made it out. Unfortunately for our number nine business story they did not survive COVID-19. Dickey's Barbecue was in San Angelo for a number of years but closed it's doors. This story had 13,740 page views.

#10: Familiar Restaurant Going Into former Zentner's Daughter Location

In the last spot on the top 10 is not about losing something but rather gaining something new... well sort of. The story is about Napoli's moving into the former Zetner's Daughter building in Stadium Park. Although Napoli's was already in San Angelo, it has filled a much needed hole in Southern San Angelo.

Missed the Cut

#11: Some San Angelo Bars Have Re-Opened. Here's Why:

Not quiet making it into the top 10 was the stories about bars reopening. The story is in regards to the rule change TABC made to allow bars to reopen and classify themselves as restaurants. This story had 12,808 page views.