In the wake of a devastating fire on Main Street that incinerated four local eateries and inflicted damage on a fifth, Salt Lake City's restaurant community is rallying to support affected businesses and employees. According to KSLTV, locals Travis and Brynn Richards, who run the Restaurateur Inner Circle, are proactive in their endeavours to aid those impacted, having set up a GoFundMe page to distribute funds to the destroyed establishments. "The community has your back, and we’re here for you," Travis Richards stated, demonstrating the solidarity that has taken hold in the city.
Jason LeCates, owner of the incinerated Whiskey Street and White Horse bars, expressed determination to rebuild, inspired by salvaged items like menus and an American flag, a poignant reminder of what was lost. In an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune, he estimated a combined loss of roughly $6 million for his two businesses due to the fire, which originated in the kitchen of another affected establishment, London Belle.
Moving beyond fundraising efforts, the hospitality sector is also extending job offers to displaced workers. Kelly Lovell, general manager at ‘2 Row Brewing,’ has expressed an open call for employment at her brewery, providing immediate opportunities for those knocked out of employment by the blaze. "It wasn’t even something I had to think much about,” Lovell recounted to FOX 13. “We're coming into our busy season and I have openings."
Aside from offering job placements, the Downtown Alliance has established the Main Street Fire Employee Assistance Fund, where individuals can contribute monetary donations, with the assurance that 100% of the donations go directly to employees to help cover costs.
