The pandemic’s heavy toll on the restaurant industry can be seen in Jose Bonilla Jr.’s cavernous warehouse, which is packed with industrial ovens, grills, mixers, refrigerators, dining tables ...

Simply put, when one restaurant goes out of business, you purchase their equipment. Then, when another restaurant opens, you resell that same equipment for a profit.

Pandemic restaurant closures produce glut of used equipment The pandemic has forced tens of thousands of restaurants to permanently shut their doors as dining restrictions keep customers away.

Bonilla’s family business, American Restaurant Supply in San Leandro, Calif., buys used appliances, furniture and other equipment when restaurants close in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bonilla’s family business, American Restaurant Supply in San Leandro, Calif., buys used appliances, furniture and other equipment when restaurants close in the San Francisco Bay Area.