As restaurants struggle to navigate the application process for the Paycheck Protection Program and the North Carolina unemployment site struggles under the surge in applications, many furloughed restaurant employees have been left without income. A pivot to take-out food has allowed some restaurants to keep their management staff on payroll, but without alcohol sales to boost the bottom line, it’s not enough to pay hourly staff. So restaurants are turning to diners, asking for financial support via GoFundMe as servers and cooks try to adjust to life without restaurant work. 

William Dissen, owner of Uptown restaurant Haymaker as well as The Market Place in Asheville, knew his staff would need help while transitioning to unemployment. 

“We decided to launch a GoFundMe relief campaign for our teams at Haymaker and The Market Place because having dealt with the unemployment system before (during the recession), I knew it takes some time to get filed, and to receive funds, and we wanted to do our best to provide some support to our team during this tough time while everyone is furloughed,” he says. 

Dissen says much of the support has come from regulars, friends, family, and service industry colleagues. Here are restaurants around town fundraising through crowdfunding. —Kristen Wile

5Church
Executive chef and partner Jamie Lynch organized a fundraiser on behalf of the staff at 5Church and Sophia’s Lounge. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to staff. 5Church was one of the first restaurants to close as COVID-19 spread, but reopened last week for takeout and delivery. 

Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar
The Uptown burger spot has set a goal of $210,000, the sum of 12 weeks of wages for the restaurant’s laid off staff of 35 people. “What this means to the individuals who receive the money is nothing short of a miracle that will allow everyone to fulfill their financial obligations to not further the crisis with housing, childcare, car payments and groceries etc., and although many companies are allowing delayed payments, we would like everyone to avoid drowning in the eventual debt that will be collected when life returns to normal,” the GoFundMe reads. 

The Crunkleton
Charlotte cocktail bar The Crunkleton closed its doors after the governor announced a mandated closure of restaurant dining rooms, though it recently reopened for takeout. “We, like many local bars, are a small company that has been met with an unimaginable task of navigating this pandemic,” the fundraising page reads. “We are asking for your help to continue to aid our beloved employees.”

Duckworth’s
More than $22,000 has been raised via GoFundMe for the staff at Duckworth’s, Link & Pin, and The Cellar. While that may seem like a lot, the restaurant group had to lay off 300 employees, giving each one a payout of less than $75 so far. 

Haymaker
Chef and owner William Dissen closed Haymaker before it was mandated, wanting to do his part to flatten the curve and ensure the safety of his employees. He put together a fundraising page to help his laid off workers get by during this time of uncertainty in the industry. 

Santé
The staff at this small restaurant in Matthews is still working take-out orders, but have had significant reductions in hours. Owner Adam Reed’s fundraiser hopes to supplement lost wages because of that reduction in work. 

Tonidandel-Brown Restaurants
The owners of Crepe Cellar, Growlers, and Haberdish laid off 85 employees after having to close their dining rooms. Through take-out meals, cocktail kits, and delivery, they’ve been able to retain a few employees, but the group is asking for financial support to aid those who cannot work. 

Valhalla
Regulars at the Brevard Court dive bar put together a fundraiser to help the staff there. “We’d appreciate you helping us help our favorite bar staff through this,” the page says, “After all, we’re all going to need a drink when this is over.”

 

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