Kim Krivjanick, owner of Ricard’s, at her supply store on Broad Street in New Orleans, Dec. 2, 2025. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America)
NEW ORLEANS — Kim Krivjanick is not afraid of hard work.
In the 32 years she’s owned and operated her North Broad Street business “Ricard’s Inc.,” it’s taken plenty of sweat and toil to keep the lights on.
“I’ve survived hurricanes, the pandemic, the buyout of a partner, all of these things, and I’ve never been in a situation like this,” Krivjanick said.
But Krivjanick said she has recently started having trouble finding electricians, housekeepers, delivery drivers all essential to her work managing short-term rentals and selling restaurant, catering and janitorial products. People are not showing up or just outright quitting, she said, and she attributes this to workers being afraid that federal immigration agents will target people who have brown skin — even creole women, like her…