Save Restaurants
Join Cointreau and The Independent Restaurant Coalition and send a love letter to your favorite bars and restaurants - who need our support now more than ever.
Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry is more at risk than ever before, leaving 500,000 independent establishments and over 11 million people they employ vulnerable to permanent closures and without work.
Cointreau is partnering with the Independent Restaurant Coalition to put the industry front and center. Cointreau’s Love Letter was created for the industry, by the industry, to show support for real restaurants and bars struggling during the pandemic.
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Save your favorite love letter below + don't forget to tag @cointreau_us and your favorite local bar or restaurant with #SaveRestaurants
An Inside Look Behind the Scenes
Learn more about how you can support your favorite bars and restaurants.
For the Industry, By the Industry
Ann Kim,
Restaurant Owner
Ann has a few restaurants in the Twin Cities. Her plan of opening the fourth brick and mortar was slated for spring of 2020. That location has yet to open its doors to dine-in customers, resulting in a loss of wages and unfortunate cuts in staff.
Justin Southerland, Chef
By the end of 2020 Justin made the difficult decision to temporarily close down his restaurant, Handsome Hog because of financial losses during the pandemic. Having to close his doors meant a loss of income for him, his suppliers and the people that he was able to employ before the virus spread.
Pilar Garcia, Host
2020 has been a year of change for Pilar. It started on a positive note when she took more responsibility at a brand new restaurant. Like many others, in recent months she’s been furloughed from her job because of covid. With two kids to support, she’s taking the time to earn her real estate license while she has the time. Pilar hopes to be back to work again soon.
Mary Garrity, Server
Mary has been working as a server and bartender for several years but has been furloughed since May of 2020 because of the pandemic. With restaurants opening in Minneapolis in the coming weeks, she’s thrilled to finally get back to work.
Adam Gorski, Bartender
Adam was curating a bar menu at a brand new restaurant before the pandemic hit. He's done a lot of work in recent months and he’s still waiting for restaurants to open for in-person dining in the new year.
“Cocktails are at the heart of what we do at Cointreau, and our family of restaurants, bars and industry partners have played an important part in our story to help us all create those exceptional moments and experiences we hold near and dear.”
Led by chefs and independent restaurant owners across the country, the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) was formed during the COVID-19 pandemic to give voice to 500,0000 local restaurants and bars and the 11 million people they employ across the country. The IRC is a nonprofit corporation applying for tax-exempt recognition under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
To discover local relief organizations that you can support, please visit saverestaurants.com/funds
