In an update posted Saturday morning, the EaDo bakery thanked Houstonians for the overwhelming response to its video, which highlighted access issues facing businesses and residents near the FIFA Fan Festival.
“We definitely did not expect for it to be heard so loudly,” Koffeteria wrote. “We were flooded with similar stories from both local businesses and residents, many of whom expressed fear of speaking up due to retaliation.”
According to the bakery, many of those concerns involved basic day-to-day activities, including receiving food deliveries, getting groceries home and accessing veterinary care for pets.
Koffeteria said it has since met with the Houston Police Department, which confirmed pedestrians were initially being turned away from Hutchins Street because of concerns that crowds could block ambulance access to the area.
The bakery also said it spoke with Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez, who is working to improve access for food delivery services in the neighborhood so businesses can continue serving local customers during the tournament.
Meanwhile, nearby business Ancorian is expected to help coordinate an air-conditioned rest area and restroom facilities for police officers, firefighters and other first responders working in the area.
The bakery’s original video on Thursday drew widespread attention as Houston welcomed thousands of visitors for World Cup festivities. The post also sparked a broader conversation about how large-scale events can affect the neighborhoods that surround them.
In Saturday’s statement, Koffeteria founder Vanarin Kuch reflected on the area’s history, describing the neighborhood as a longtime gathering place for Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees who settled in Houston after immigrating to the United States.
“With the highway expansion project, the last of these businesses are being demolished,” Koffeteria wrote. “We hope that we’ll be able to showcase this history for visitors and remind people that this was once Houston’s Asiatown.”
The FIFA Fan Festival is expected to remain active throughout the tournament, with city officials and event organizers continuing to manage crowds, transportation and neighborhood access around the site.