The Independent Restaurant Coalition reports that more than one out of every six restaurants and bars in the U.S. have already closed permanently since the start of the pandemic (via Eater). Bank transaction data shows that COVID-19 has hit small, independent restaurants much harder than large chains (via Fast Casual). Now you can help, at no cost to yourself, with a quick Instagram post.
“Restaurants are essential to our American story,” Adam Richman says in a video promoting the History Channel’s donations, posted on the network’s Instagram page. “Together,” he added, “we can help save restaurants and save our history.” The former Man v. Food host has championed COVID-19 relief efforts in the past. Early in the pandemic, Richman helped Shift4 Payments raise money to help small businesses (via Facebook).
The first restaurant getting an assist from the History Channel’s “Save our History” campaign is Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, (via Instagram). The History Channel appreciates that the Black-owned restaurant has an important place in American history, feeding participants in the march on Washington in 1963 and hosting President Barack Obama.
