We told you previously in this space about an initiative to help local restaurants weather the COVID-19 storm by making every Wednesday ‘Take-out Day’. Some restos are re-opening for dine-in service, but many others are still offering take-out and delivery only, and #Takeoutday is still a ‘thing’…
Whatever your favourite dress-up flavour, whether you’re a Drummie
or a Flattie fan, there’s at least one order of Wings with your
name on it today at a local resto near you…
Today is being hailed by the #Takeoutday movement as a special reminder to all faithful fans of local restos trying to survive the COVID-19 lock down by promoting take-out services with specials and other awareness-heightening promos on Wednesdays.
“We’re encouraging Canadians across the country to order takeout en-masse in a show of support for their favourite local restaurants,” the group’s website declares. “Restaurants are doing their part by staying open for takeout. Now it’s your turn to take an active part in the support of an industry that employs millions of people in this country.”
In spite of the fact that many jurisdictions have eased pandemic lock down restrictions, many restos have not re-opened for dine-in service, customers have not been returning to their favourite eateries in significant numbers, and operators continue to rely on take-out and delivery to bring in enough revenue to pay the rent and utilities, and cover the wages of skeleton staffs.
“The re-opening of restaurants doesn’t particularly signal the end of our woes,” says chef Trevor Lui, owner of JoyBird Fried Chicken in Toronto. “With the restrictions and limited dine-in capacity, we still need everyone’s support to continue ordering takeout.”
Has #Takeoutday been a success? Do the one-off and Mom-and-Pop restos think it’s been worthwhile? The dozens of enthusiastic testimonials posted at the website – just the tip of the iceberg – prove just how important it’s been to many operators, and how grateful they are that their faithful fans haven’t abandoned them during the crisis.
Just a reminder…
As a special reminder of that, #Takeoutday has declared today ‘#Takeoutday: Wing Edition’. Organizers expect thousands of local, non-chain restaurants to launch hundreds of thousands of pounds / Kg of Wings, of every imaginable flavour, out their doors today, in a vast array of special deals.
So… Go to the website and use the #Takeoutday Restaurant Finder to spotlight participating establishments near you. (I found no fewer than 16 within take-out/delivery range of my home in the burbs.) And make the commitment to order-in Wings for supper tonight!
~ Maggie J.