Fund Created for Struggling Bar Owners
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis.
LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says all bars are closed and unlike restaurants or retailers these businesses don’t have the option of takeout or delivery.
“They have no income and the bills are compounding, they have rent or mortgage payments. I talked to a guy yesterday who said the dumpster company is still sending bills,” says Kelley.
Many small businesses are keeping the lights on by taking advantage of federal programs like the CARES Act. Kelley says, unfortunately, bars have a very unusual business model…
“The way that the stimulus programs are coming down for businesses is awkward and doesn’t fit everybody. This is a fact that the bar owners are not fitting into is making those loans make sense,” says Kelley.
Kelley says locally officials could help bars by expanding alcohol delivery laws.
To contribute or to seek aid visit LHF’s website and look for the South Louisiana Bar Owner Relief Fund.
“This is definitely a way to help your favorite bar with some sort of sustainability plan,” says Kelley.
(Story written by Matt Doyle/Louisiana Radio Network)
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