"Boost for Baltimore Restaurants" Day Set by Greater Baltimore Committee on July 15
BALTIMORE, July 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
What: To help Baltimore restaurants and their employees recover financially from economic losses incurred during the civil unrest and ensuing nighttime curfews this spring, the Greater Baltimore Committee has enlisted board members to go out to lunch or dinner in the city this Wednesday.
The GBC is also encouraging board members to take, or pay, for at least five company employees to eat at city restaurants this Wednesday.
In addition, GBC member companies and institutions have been asked to encourage and allow employees to dine out at Baltimore restaurants.
"The GBC and the business community recognize what a really important industry and employer restaurants are in the city. Many took a financial hit from the unrest and so we want to show that we stand behind them and want to help the many wonderful restaurants we are lucky to have in Baltimore and help their employees get back on track," said Donald C. Fry, president and CEO of the GBC. "We also want to highlight to everyone in the region that city restaurants want and need your business."
When: Wednesday, July 15, 2015; lunch and dinner hours.
Why: The restaurant industry employs an estimated 20,000 people in Baltimore, according to the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Some of these businesses were negatively affected by a drop in customers by the civil unrest that occurred in late April. The ensuing police-enforced evening curfew also hurt revenues at some establishments. In addition, business at many restaurants still has not returned to typical levels seen in the warm weather months. Employees who rely on tips for part of their income, such as waiters, waitresses and bartenders, have been especially hard hit.
Quotable: "We like to support the local businesses and do what we can. And this effort looks like a relatively easy way to put money into hard working people's pockets." Corey said he has more than 50 employees committed to dining at city restaurants for the Boost for Baltimore Restaurants effort. He expects that number to grow. "Our team loves Baltimore. It's a great idea the GBC had to mobilize the business community and get behind an industry that was hurt by the unrest."
--William S. Corey, Jr., Baltimore Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and a member of the GBC board of directors, Baltimore.
"Our colleagues enjoy living and working in Baltimore and a very special part of our City is enjoying the restaurants in Fells Point/Harbor East where our office is located and in the neighborhoods and communities where many of our colleagues live. We are aware that some of the restaurants suffered some loss of business earlier this year which affected their employees and their families quite severely. So, while we get "out on the town" quite a bit already, we are committed to make a special effort to dine out this Wednesday and help to ease some of that pain. In doing so, we are reminded often of the importance of remembering that "It's our City. Let's act like it."
--Michael D. Hankin, Chief Executive Officer, Brown Advisory, Baltimore.
Where: Board members and their employees will be patronizing multiple restaurants throughout the city. Fry, GBC's president and CEO, and about 20 staff members will be patronizing one of the restaurants in the Hollins Market area of West Baltimore.
Details:
- Press/media outlets interested in reporting on the event should contact Mark Guidera for additional background information or photo and broadcast arrangements.
- GBC President and CEO Donald Fry will be available for interviews on or off-camera prior to and on July 15. Contact Mark Guidera to arrange time and location.
About the GBC
The Greater Baltimore Committee is a regional membership organization of more than 500 businesses, nonprofit organizations, and educational and civic institutions. The GBC's mission is to improve the region's business climate by organizing its corporate and civic leadership to develop solutions to problems that affect the region's competitiveness. Learn more: http://gbc.org/
GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE
SOURCE Greater Baltimore Committee
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