Union News

North Carolina legislators and Moore County restaurant and bar owners discussed financial protections for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moore County businesses are struggling to stay open amid the financial crisis, especially restaurants and bars that are concerned with alcohol sales. 

Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Moore County) and Rep. Jamie Boles (R-Southern Pines) spoke with representatives from the Moore County Health Department, the North Carolina ABC Commission and Congress to find a solution to provide financial relief to restaurants and bars, according to The Pilot's report on March 31.

Unlike other states, North Carolina has not eased up on alcohol consumption laws to help restaurants and bar owners during their busy seasons. Texas, Florida and several other states are allowing cocktails to be bought with takeout orders, the publication reported. 

Terrance Merriweather from the North Carolina ABC Commission told The Pilot, "At this point, there's not much we can do. We are in uncharted territory," especially since only the Legislature can determine whether to loosen up liquor sales in the state. 

But most North Carolina restaurant owners, like Warren Lewis, don't have off-premise liquor licenses, which means this wouldn't be an option for them. 

“If I could sell liquor by the glass, I could keep a staff member working,” Lewis, owner of Chef Warren’s, told The Pilot. 

A recently approved $2-trillion stimulus package designed to provide economic relief will help local restaurants and bars. And many Moore County businesses are now working with banks to learn how to apply for relief from the package. But some owners think it's too late for their businesses.

“They pass a bill up there, and we sit down here in the midst of suffering and wonder if anything’s actually going to happen,” Steve Grasso, owner of Broad Street Bakery & Cafe told The Pilot. 

But Bishop said the stimulus package will lend money to small business owners. If the funds, which can total up to two and a half times the restaurant's payroll, are used to pay employees, then the government will forgive the loans. 

“I know the state is really trying with this,” Lewis told The Pilot. “I’m not an expert on government stuff, but I do know about running a restaurant in this community. And we really do live in such a strong community.”