"Rising gas prices are hitting small business people hard, especially taxi drivers, companies with small fleets, fast food delivery drivers and others, said Jack Kyser, chief economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. Kyser said he has heard of at least one florist who has restricted its delivery area because of fuel costs."

Luis Martinez, for example, is paid 75 cents for every Domino's pizza delivery he makes in the San Fernando Valley, on top of his hourly minimum wage. And the delivery compensation hasn't changed, he said, which is a problem because of the hills his 1995 Toyota Tercel must climb -- and the gas that uses up -- to make some deliveries.

Jo Binanti was searching for a job Wednesday before heading to her job operating Binanti's Italian Restaurant with her husband, Salvatore.

The reason was simple: She needs a second job during the day to afford the natural gas costs needed to keep the couple's 10-year-old restaurant at 2411 Main St. in Caledonia open at night.

"I don't know how small-business owners are going to make it. How can you make it?" she said. "We are going to have to get jobs. There is no other way."

The Binantis are facing monthly natural gas bills as high as $1,600 in the winter and $900 in the summer to heat their business and power ovens that cook pizzas and other Italian entrees. Their 3,000-square-foot restaurant seats 100 customers.