MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) With in-person dining banned in restaurants and bars across Wisconsin, some business owners in Madison now hope the government will come up with a way to help out their employees who are suddenly out of work.
The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company already closed its doors before Gov. Tony Evers' statewide ban was announced Tuesday afternoon.
Now, Great Dane Brewmaster and Vice President Robert LoBreglio is taking matters into his own hands to help his employees the best he can.
“We're doing what we can as a, you know, relatively small independent business operator to take care of our people,” LoBreglio said. “Our takeout and delivery plan is actually designed to try and keep as many people employed as possible. The people that we are no longer able to employ we're trying to give as many of our perishable items to as possible.”
The Great Dane is also trying to get health insurance premiums delayed for its employees.
“The Great Dane, to whatever extent it remains possible, is also going to be offering no-interest loans to our staff just to help, hopefully, see them get by,” LoBreglio said. “But it is also time for the government to make clear plans as to, you know, what they're going to do for us into the future.”
Other Madison restaurateurs like Chef Tory Miller, who owns several local places including Graze and L'Etoile, want the mayor and governor to take action.
In a post on Instagram this week, Miller called upon leaders to immediately support emergency unemployment benefits, eliminate sales and payroll taxes, along with rent and loan abatement for both employees and businesses.
“This week is Spring Break, which is usually a slow week for me, so I don't really know how good or bad business is,” Steve Heaps, owner of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company, said. “We're a little down right now.”
Heaps wasn't sure Tuesday morning if he would send his State Street ice cream shop employees home, but he's not taking chances either.
“We're taking no cash, so there won't be any physical contact between us and the customer,” Heaps said. “There will be no cones. Everything will be in a dish or a cup or a glass.”