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Zingerman’s Co-Owner Supports Bill In Congress To Provide Aid To Independent Restaurants In Pandemic

Ari Weinzweig
Ari Weinzweig

Ann Arbor Zingerman's co-owner Ari Weinzweig is part of the recently formed "Independent Restaurant Coalition" working to get a bill approved to provide financial support for restaurants struggling due to the current pandemic.

He talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about his hopes for keeping his doors open, especially with no home football games this year in Ann Arbor, and the approach of colder weather which will impact outdoor dining, which is helping to sustain many restaurants right now.

An Ann Arbor restaurant owner is looking to Congress for support to keep the doors open during our current global health crisis.  Zingerman’s co-owner Ari Weinzweig says the financial stability of one restaurant impacts an entire ecosystem of restaurant workers and suppliers, from wineries to linen suppliers.

Weinzweig adds, "If Zingerman’s closes, and I’m not saying that threateningly or like we’re about to close tomorrow or anything, but the impact on our community would be pretty significant. "

Weinzweig is part of the recently-formed “Independent Restaurant Coalition”that is working with members of Congress to get a bill known as the "Restaurants Act”approved.  It would provide financial support for independently-owned restaurants around the country that are struggling due to the pandemic, just like the government has done in the past, according to Weinzweig, for the auto industry airlines and banks. 

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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
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