Columbia restaurants deal with slump, prepare in case of shutdown
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
If Missouri follows the lead of states shutting down restaurants and bars in response to COVID-19, many workers fear they will be without a job.
"I've been in the service industry my entire life, and I feel like this industry is getting hit the hardest," Sam Johnson, kitchen manager at Cafe Berlin, said Monday.
In a news conference Monday, President Donald Trump asked all Americans to avoid eating and drinking in restaurants and bars.
Cafe Berlin closed its dining room Monday and will do only carry out through the end of March. Dan Bugnitz, a manager at the restaurant, said they are trying to protect the health of the public -- but it comes at a cost.
"A number of people are not going to be having shifts. We've asked them to look into unemployment," Bugnitz said. "We are paying them what we can for as long as we can, but the business has to also survive."
Many Columbia restaurants, including Cafe Berlin and Sagua La Grande Cuban Cafe, are urging customers to order carryout or buy gift cards in order to keep local businesses up and running. The president's latest guidance indicates this is still safe.
Greg Butler, the co-owner of Sagua La Grande, said he is considering starting an in-house delivery service while the virus is still affecting business.
"We need people to shop local and help keep our doors open," Butler said.
Several restaurants are also considering or have already applied for a loan to get them through slow times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a COVID-19 relief bill over the weekend. If passed by the Senate, the bill would provide paid sick leave, free testing and more.
The bill would create some relief for local businesses. Any business with 50 or fewer employees would be eligible for reimbursements for paid sick leave. Meanwhile, it also would designate $2 billion to state unemployment insurance programs.
According to the bill, individuals who are put out of a job because of the pandemic would qualify for the program.
