It wasn’t just the consecutive days of double shifts Juan Contreras had to pull at his Mexican restaurant El Gato Negro, making up for staff who were staying home, fearful of being caught up in federal immigration sweeps . But that exhausting stretch was the last straw.

This week, Contreras decided to temporarily close the French Market location of his popular eatery, likely until the new year.

His restaurants in Gretna and Lakeview remain open. But in the French Quarter, business disruptions from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “ Catahoula Crunch” crackdown are hitting differently.

“After all this, we just needed to take a little break and start the new year fresh,” Contreras said.

“All this” is a year that has brought immense challenges for many restaurants and bars in t

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