County to launch 2 restaurant aid programs
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris announced two new programs on Friday designed to support restaurants adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some industries have been harder hit than most others,” said Harris, citing restrictions on seating and hours as part of the decision to create these programs.
Both programs will launch this week.
Share the Tab
Share the Tab is a grant program designed to help limited service restaurants, which were closed under Health Directive 8.
According to Harris, nearly $500,000 has been set aside for this program that will award $10,000 grants to approved applicants.
All 41 restaurants listed with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission as “limited service” — with sales of alcohol that exceed sales of food — on July 7 when the directive was issued can apply. This includes restaurants, such as Blind Bear Speakeasy, that recently changed their business model and applied for a full-service restaurant license.
Applications can be submitted starting Tuesday at shelbycountytn.gov. Andre Gibson, Shelby County strategic affairs coordinator, said the process should take seven to 10 business days.
901 Joint Mask Force
901 Joint Mask Force aims to have more Memphians wear masks, as well as drive traffic to restaurants.
Ten Memphis-area restaurants have been designated as pickup spots for free masks from Shelby County. Harris said the hope is that Memphians will stop by to pick up a mask and either dine in or pick up takeout from the restaurant.
The program name is a play on words with the 901 Joint Task Force.
Shelby County worked closely with the Memphis Restaurant Association to identify the restaurants that will participate in the program. When the program launches, 10 restaurants will participate. Harris said the county hopes to add more restaurants as the program expands. The Four Way, Sweet Magnolia Gelato Company, RP Tracks, Portales Mexican Restaurant, The Doghouzz and Pollards BBQ are the six pickup sites currently listed on the website. The other four restaurants have not been announced yet. Each participating restaurant self-selected to participate when the Memphis Restaurant Association announced the program.
Each address in Shelby County will receive a mailer next week with information about the program. Residents will be eligible to receive up to three free masks. One of the masks, known as the “Grind” mask, was designed by Memphian Ben Colar of Babygrand.co.
More information about the mask initiative can be found at 901jointmaskforce.com.