30 | DECEMBER 24 • 2020 

A

multi-million-dollar 
economic program 
announced earlier this 
month will provide immediate, 
quick relief for some members 
of Oakland County’s restaurant 
industry during the COVID-19 
pandemic. 
The Oakland Together 
Restaurant Rescue Program will 
distribute $10 million in grant 
money to 1,000 restaurants and 
bars. The money can be used 
for operations, including payroll 
costs; weatherization and equip-
ment for outdoor dining; and 
personal protective equipment 
and supplies to reopen safely 
inside. The program’s funding 
includes $7 million from the 
federal CARES Act allocation to 
Oakland County in the spring 
and $3 million from the county’s 
general fund. 
Restaurants and bars came 
under greater scrutiny after 
a fall surge in COVID cases. 
Michigan Department of Health 
and Human Services restrictions 

were issued Nov. 15 to slow the 
spread of infection. They include 
imitations on indoor gatherings, 
including dining, and only out-
side dining, carryout and delivery 
service are permitted. 
Restaurants eligible for the 
program submitted applications 
under one of Oakland County’s 
previously sponsored COVID-19 
grant programs. These businesses 
will receive checks in the mail; 
they won’t have to formally apply 
for the new money. Funds must 
be spent by Dec. 30 on expenses 
incurred since March 1. 
Members of the local restau-
rant community shared their 
views about the Oakland 
Together Restaurant Rescue 
Program. 
Heirloom Hospitality Group 
has one Oakland County prop-
erty — Townhouse Birmingham. 
President Jeremy Sasson figures 
each entity will receive $7,000, 
based on the forecasted number 
of participants. 
“I’m grateful and thankful for 

any funds because we need help 
to survive,
” Sasson said. “It’s an 
amazing gesture, but it’s only a 
Band-Aid, or like getting one 
blood transfusion. The subsi-
dy might be enough to cover, 
maybe, one night of business. 
It doesn’t solve our problems 
when it comes to operating 
costs. We’ll use the money to 
pay bills and our employees.
” 
Estimating 15,000 local busi-
nesses benefited from federal 
grants distributed in May and 
June under the CARES Act, 
Sasson said: “The second wave 
of support, if it comes, should 
keep some restaurants in busi-
ness.
” 
Bill Roberts, proprietor 
of Roberts Restaurant Group 
headquartered in Beverly Hills, 
said, “It is terrific that (County 
Executive) Dave Coulter and 
Oakland County are doing 
whatever they can to save our 
industry.
” His five restaurants are 
located in Oakland County. 
“
All restaurateurs are struggling 

with negative cash flow since we 
have had no indoor dining for 
three weeks and counting,
” he 
said. “We were very fortunate to 
have received grant money in the 
fall from the county. Any monies 
that we receive now will help us 
with our payroll costs and will be 
greatly appreciated.
” 

As pause continues, restaurants are given 
a lifeline — or ‘Band-Aid.’

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Oakland County Provides 
Grants to Restaurants

SYNDI PILAR

Local Love
Restaurant owners, servers, 
chefs, cooks, bartenders and 
other staff are struggling to sur-
vive until Michigan’s COVID-19 
safety restriction on congregat-
ing within restaurants and bars 
is lifted.
These local businesses and 
workers have a friend in Marc 
Israel, owner of Great Lakes 
Hotel Supply in Southfield. His 
goal is to distribute at least 
$500,000 to the restaurant 
community through donations to 
Local Love, his GoFundMe fund-
raiser with the Michigan Chefs de 
Cuisine Association.
“These folks are really in need,
and it’s vital that we help them,” 
said Israel. His 
company is a 
food service 
equipment 
dealer that has 
worked with thousands of Detroit 
area restaurants. 
Running through March 1, 
100 percent of the funds raised 
will go to those in need, minus 
processing and administrative 
fees not to exceed 10 percent of 
donations.
Businesses applying for help 
must be registered in the state of 
Michigan. Owners must register 
themselves and their employees 
for approval. All money raised 
will be distributed to the owners 
and their employees, based on 
the total amount of donations 
received. The first checks should 
arrive before Christmas, and 
then be distributed monthly. To 
enroll or donate to the Local 
Love fund, visit www.glhsco.
com/locallove/. 
– Esther Allweiss Ingber

BUSINESS

