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As the COVID-19 outbreak in Oregon continues to impact the local restaurant market, stories are popping up across the city, from food cart owners giving away free meals to chefs starting Instagram cooking classes. In this new version of AM Intel, we dive into different ways the state’s food service industry has been responding to the global pandemic. For more COVID-19 stories, check out our larger story stream.
RELIEF DEADLINE — Tonight is the deadline for small business owners to apply for Prosper Portland’s emergency relief grants, part of a $2 million package approved by Portland City Council. Businesses are eligible if they have fewer than 50 employees and make less than $2 million in annual gross revenue; they also must have been “directly impacted by new COVID-19 public health requirements” or have experienced at least a 25 percent drop in revenue since February 1. That could include countless restaurants, many of which have closed in response to Portland’s COVID-19 outbreak. Grants will range between $2,000 and $10,000, and applications are due by 11:59 p.m. [Portland Mercury]
SACK LUNCH BUNCH — Cocktail bar and restaurant Botanist has been giving away brown bag meals to service workers impacted by restaurant closures during Portland’s COVID-19 outbreak. The team has given away more than 1,2000 so far, delivering meals and also offering them for pickup. Those interested in a sack lunch can place order on this website. [EaterWire]
RENT WOES — Today is April 1, and Portland restaurants and other businesses could be evicted as soon as five days from now for not paying rent. While Gov. Kate Brown has halted residential evictions during this period, commercial evictions are fair game, even considering the vast number of restaurants that have closed following Brown’s executive order banning onsite consumption. Restaurant owners, if you face eviction this month, please contact us via the tipline. UPDATE: Gov. Kate Brown has since banned commercial evictions for 90 days. [Oregonian]
