PUBLISHED APRIL 23, 2020
Thursday April 23
Yesterday saw the return of one staff member who had relapsed on alcohol. After a rough 10 days, and medical help, he got his condition under control. We discussed how much more difficult it is these days -- vs normal times -- to stay sober and mentally healthy. It is a blessing to have him back; several of us had been worried about him and we had missed his energy. Hopefully all of us at the restaurant have learned something from his experience and can better take care of ourselves and each other.
One topic on everyone’s mind lately is the weather. We seem to have been experiencing endless winter, which is tough on people. A little sunshine and warm air would do wonders for our spirits. It makes me feel sad for those stuck at home, especially with kids, itching to get out. When we had that peek at springtime a couple of weeks ago, it visibly lifted spirits. But it also encouraged social activity (is “spring fever” still a thing?). Weather also drives sales -- even now. Sales strengthened during the warm spell, so we planned for more, then winter returned. Thankfully sales have hung in there.
Regardless of the weather and the virus, I want some things to stay normal. To me, springtime means planters on the patio at Detroit Street. We started in mid March with cold-hardy pansies and snapdragons. Yesterday we received an order of showy perennials and annuals from a greenhouse. The planting probably starts today and you will start seeing beautiful pots around the edge of the restaurant.
Yesterday also signaled a change in my thinking. Previously I was absorbed in learning about and applying for all the various forms of small-business aid we’ve all heard about. That has yielded nothing. Yes, there is still a slim chance our PPP loan will get funded in the next round. But beyond that, I am not expecting help from the government. The only help we have received has been: 2 of our three landlords forgave April rent, and generous and caring patrons have purchased gift cards. Also helpful has been the ability to stretch out tax payments without penalty.
As of now, I am putting 100% of my efforts into the business -- taking care of employees, keeping our food production in top shape, marketing, selling food, giving away food, communicating with our base, staying relevant, and administration. While I’m rooted in the present, I still have one eye open toward the future. There are lots of questions about the future of The Lunch Room-- what and when it will look like. Everything is on the table. But planning for the future feels like shooting darts in the dark.
I hope everyone is finding a way to survive this. I know there are many ways this period is affecting people -- psychologically, financially, physically. I wish we could be more of a place of sharing and caring. You know how we’re doing, but we don’t know how you’re doing -- unless you are coming to pick up free food. Then we have an inkling. It’s tough to build community during a time of social distancing. Perhaps, with spring coming, we will figure out a way.
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Sunday April 26
Things have become clearer and simpler since I gave up hopes of government assistance. Sure, it’s possible our loan will get approved on the next round of paycheck-protection funding, but it’s a longshot. I am not counting on it. My financial projections and marketing efforts are solely based on what we are able to bring in and put out at Detroit Street and The Lunch Room Bakery. All the programs and possibilities have proven to be nothing more than a distraction.
There have been some exciting developments over the last few days:
The weather has improved. Yay! That means people are feeling happier. It also means we are making more use of the delivery cargo bike that Urban Cargo Bikes donated to us at the beginning of the crisis. The plants we received on Wednesday have been planted and now adorn the perimeter of our patio.
Sales are strong. Detroit Street sales are right where they should be this time of year. The Bakery/Cafe is at about 70% of normal sales. But The Lunch Room remains closed. So in total, our business is doing about 60% of the sales ws did last year at this time, when all three locations were open.
Our staff members are doing well overall. We have two individuals still out, trying to get and stay sober. One person who was out on a relapse, is back and doing well. Our core group of about 30 staffers between the two locations is becoming more proficient at their jobs and functions as a well-oiled machine. We are better able to handle crazy dinner rushes.
Our Bakery/Cafe location continues to amaze me. The two Cafe staffers make and sell breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. The two bakers produce mountains of breads and pastries to satisfy the ever-growing demand. And the donut-making operation we started at The Lunch Room Diner is going gangbusters. We started with 30 donuts a day and are now ramped up to 100. And they still sell out.
Our community remains generous and gracious. Since the crisis began in mid-March, folks have purchased more than $25,000 in gift cards. And write us nice notes. And say nice things. We are feeling the love!
But for as positive as I feel about the business, my feelings swing the opposite direction when I look out from this safe and protected hive. Our national and world state of affairs frighten me. This is the worst possible time to have Trump as president. What type of human being, much less a leader, suggests to vulnerable people that they endanger their lives by ingesting disinfectant? And then later quips that he was being sarcastic? How can he do that and what is his goal? Thanks to Trump, many seasoned and knowledgeable diplomats and scientists are gone from their posts. Since the start of his presidency, unable to do their jobs under his tutelage, they quit. And still he makes life hard for those who remain. If there ever is a time for strong leadership, crisis management, and compassion, it is now. Every day that goes by without heroic efforts on the part of the government is a day that leads us closer to becoming a failed state.
This is what I would say to our leaders:
Compile a brain trust of the leading epidemiologists and public health professionals.
Follow their recommendations on social distance, shelter-in-place and other considerations. Use ONLY their advice in public proclamations.
Put all available government resources into developing and mass producing testing (testing that WORKS), supplying hospitals with adequate equipment, and developing a vaccine and a cure.
Divert resources to our communities to give them any hope of survival. Distribute funding to city governments, individuals and small businesses. Stop this bullshit of massive grandstanding loan programs that primarily benefit big business, the president’s friends, and the banks. Start with forgiveness of all federal payroll taxes for small businesses. That would go a long way.
COMMUNICATE: Give a daily briefing that is useful to people tucked away in their houses. Tell them what’s happening, acknowledge their pain, provide a forum for response. Make communication a 2-way street. Help people understand this crisis and give them hope there will be something for them to return to.
Envision a bold new future. When we can re-open, there will still be a jobs crisis. We need public works programs, projects for young people, a fresh take on education.
We need single-payer health care for all. If this crisis has shown us anything, it’s that our health care system is broken. So many people are in poor health generally and don’t receive the care they need. That makes us vulnerable, as a population, to opportunistic viruses. Let’s focus on improving our health as a nation, so we will be better able to fight off all illness.
Strengthen our public health institutions. Give the CDC and public health systems the resources and respect they need, so are ready to battle disease address concerns as they arise.
We need a system that’s guided by science and compassion -- not profit. This crisis demonstrates the limitations of the free market. If we wish to remain functional and relevant as a society, we need re-think our structures and our priorities.
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Tuesday April 28
Yesterday I was reminded of the adage “if you want something, let it go” (or something like that). No sooner had I completely given up hope of government assistance when $10,000 was plopped into our business checking account. It came in at the same time as our weekend sales deposits. I shook my head, thinking “I know we had a good weekend but not THAT good.” I had to look twice. The description line next to the $10k was gobbly-gook, but it contained the letters “SBA.” I asked two people at the bank, neither of whom knew what the deposit was about. One connected me with an SBA staffer who assured me that it was a grant from the Small Business Administration.
The funny thing is, I recall filling out this very short form six or seven weeks ago. At the time, I was bombarded with offers of assistance and -- doing my due diligence -- I replied to every one. Some of them, including the SBA emergency assistance fund, never acknowledged my submission. So I didn’t give them a second thought.
Further information about the $10k: I was told that if I didn’t sign any paperwork then it was a grant; not a loan. It can be spent on any business purpose and there is no reporting. Wow, this is really a new day. I guess I’ll either use the 10k to pay some bills or save it for the eventual re-opening of The Lunch Room.
Other things that are new:
I took a day off yesterday; my first in a long time -- so long that I’m afraid to admit how long. But it predated the start of the corona period. A day off does wonders for the soul, especially when it’s in nice weather and one can spend the whole day outside. Sunning, napping, hiking, eating, and spending time with family made me feel like anything is possible.
The nice weather is bringing out more people. So far everyone seems to be observing social distance rules, as they stroll and enjoy themselves. The mood is lighter.
We continue to hit the jackpot with making the right items for our customers. Groceries, donuts, and now…. Cocktail mixes (just add booze). Since introducing the mason jars full of mix yesterday, we have sold out our stock twice and are making more.
I’ll conclude with another thought that’s been on my mind: communication. I’m working internally with staff on a way to allow our customers to speak to us and each other on our social media sites about how they are doing. And I’m talking to community organization leaders about creating an online forum for small businesses in downtown Ann Arbor. We are going through a lot of the same experiences and emotions. We don’t have to do it alone. Let’s share, and help each other through this.
Go to the Detroit Street Dispatch to read more.