APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Restaurants in Wisconsin say they’re on the brink after months and months of shutdowns, restrictions, and a downturn in customers.
If the second stimulus package is approved, some financial relief for Northeast Wisconsin restaurants and businesses will be on its way.
In Appleton, Cinders Charcoal Grille is serving less meals during the pandemic.
“Our sales are obviously nothing or way down and we still have bills coming in,” says Operations manager, Lynda VandanBoogart.
VandanBoogart says the first stimulus bill from April helped, but not long term.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association President and CEO, Kristine Hillmer says like Cinders, restaurants have burned through their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding.
“We know that 46% of our restaurants are considering closing temporarily until the pandemic passes,” said Hillmer.
Hillmer says the next few months are crucial for the industry,
“It really depends on the vaccine, congressional help, what kind of business restaurants see in January and February, its not going to take a lot to see these restaurants close permanently.”
“We do know that 52% of our operators expect their staffing levels are going to decline in the next three months,” said Hillmer, “Probably means that the unemployment rate is going to rise again after the holidays, after restaurants are slower.”
In May, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported a 12% unemployment rate — after the first stimulus bill.
Now, in November, the state unemployment rate is down to 5%.
Which puts Wisconsin below the current national unemployment rate of 6.7%.
Business solution manager for Fox Valley Workforce Development, Bobbi Miller, says the unemployment rate is looking up, but not every business is doing well.
“Restaurant in particular relies on people coming in and dining in… I think there are a lot of people who are probably still working in some of those businesses, so its not necessarily one size fits all,” said Miller.
Miller says there are still job opportunities in Northeast Wisconsin.
Although, a second stimulus would help every business.
“The stimulus packages do really help us take care of our staff, keep our doors open,” said VandanBoogart.
Cinders says there are many ‘glimmers of hope’ but, “We feel so bad for the places who couldn’t make it.”
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association has a list of businesses, committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
To visit the ‘Ready to Serve Safely’ initiative and see a list of restaurants, click here.
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