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