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Since Colorado Gov. Jared Polis closed restaurants to in-person dining to slow the spread of the coronavirus, business in Cortez and Montezuma County has plunged by more than 70% at some restaurants.<\/p>\n
At Blondie\u2019s Trophy Room<\/a>, a popular bar and restaurant on East Main Street in Cortez, business is down 70%, said manager Desmond Calhoun. He has laid off 10 employees and is relying on to-go orders.<\/p>\n At the usually crowded Once Upon A Sandwich<\/a> cafe on West Main Street, owner Caroline Hessom has turned away regular customers who stopped in for a daily meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re taking it day by day, hoping for the best,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She and her husband, Rick, and a small staff are keeping their spirits up preparing to-go orders.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy to give them support and have them cook up a meal to take home,\u201d said customer Marcia Hyde.<\/p>\n At local favorite The Farm Bistro<\/a>, to-go orders are picking up, but it is a small fraction of regular business, said owner Tonya Powell. The toughest part was temporarily laying off staff, she said.<\/p>\n The coronavirus pandemic has created a perfect storm of economic hardship. A statewide ban on in-person restaurant dining and a stay-at-home order leaves Main Street nearly empty.<\/p>\n Many of the restaurants decided to close temporarily.<\/p>\n \u201cThe restaurant business is hard enough with the small margins and lots of overhead, then add this, and it\u2019s tough,\u201d said Calhoun.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was quite a shock how quickly it all happened. We were not expecting it,\u201d Powell said.<\/p>\n Owners said they have encouraged laid-off staff to apply for unemployment and be ready to return to work after the bans have lifted.<\/p>\n Downtown visitors expressed worry that some businesses won\u2019t recover, reopen or return to precoronavirus levels.<\/p>\n Loyal customers ordered takeout meals to support their favorite eateries, even if they have to take it home or to the office.<\/p>\n The Denise Dennison Farmers Insurance<\/a> agency recently bought $1,000 worth of gift certificates from 10 locally owned restaurants. She has been giving away $25 gift certificates to locals in need.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to help where I can, knowing restaurants are suffering,\u201d she said. \u201cGiving them away is another good way to help the community. I continue to order to-go and encourage others to do it too.\u201d<\/p>\n The food service industry in Montezuma County contributes an estimated 756 jobs at 60 locations, according to 2019 data from Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado. Average earnings are $20,500 per year, and total 2019 earnings in the industry were estimated at $16 million.<\/p>\n Several relief programs have been enacted to assist laid-off workers and employers in Colorado. Other programs are planned.<\/p>\n The $2 trillion U.S. Care Act promises to provide access to loans up to $10 million for employers for immediate cash flow to weather the storm. If the business retains their staff, the loans will be partially or completely forgiven.<\/p>\n The $2 trillion federal Cares Act relief package was signed Friday by President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Care Act stimulus package is a strong start,\u201d said John Whitney, regional director for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett, during a economic webinar Thursday for Southwest Colorado businesses. \u201cIt will take some time to set up and implement programs and grapple with the magnitude.\u201d<\/p>\n The stimulus bill also provides $250 billion in direct economic support, providing $1,200 per worker and $500 per child. The U.S. Treasury said checks will be mailed or be directly deposited in accounts beginning in a few weeks.<\/p>\n Unemployment benefit payments also have increased during the crisis and will continue for an additional 13 weeks beyond the 26-week standard. Sick leave will increase under emergency labor programs to allow for workers to recover from COVID-19 or to assist an infected family member. Employers will be compensated for providing additional sick leave.<\/p>\n For more information on disaster relief programs for businesses, go to the Region 9 Economic Development webpage<\/a> or call the COVID-19 small business hotline at 303-860-5881.<\/p>\n