WARRENSBURG — The Love What's Local committee is gearing up for its annual promotion, Restaurant Week, to encourage community members to try a new restaurant or menu item, or visiting an old favorite.
LWL stated this year’s Restaurant Week will have a greater impact because restaurants need community support following a year of uncertainty and shutdowns.
“During a time when it’s needed most, Love What’s Local Restaurant Week offers the opportunity to directly support Warrensburg’s restaurant industry, including many small, family-owned businesses,” a LWL press release states. “This is the perfect time to eat out, take out and help out.”
Due to the large impact COVID-19 has had on local restaurants, LWL decided to approach Restaurant Week a bit differently for 2021.
“We want to encourage community members during this week to go out and dine in or carry out at various restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the support does not stop there,” LWL states. “Grabbing a local cup of coffee, a sweet treat or a grab and go meal also supports your local cafes and businesses. Restaurant Week is not about a set price or new menu item, but showing up for our local restaurants.”
According to a study done by the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation, by the end of 2020, local restaurants in Johnson County saw a 50% decrease in sales use/tax when compared to 2019 data. This shows the significant decrease in revenue for local eating establishments that employ hundreds of our community members.
Restaurant Week is a 10-day promotion starting on Feb. 27 and ending on March 7.
The community can also support local restaurants by leaving a positive comment or sharing their social media posts, giving positive reviews or telling friends about their favorite local restaurant.
The LWL committee has added a twist to restaurant week this year called, Restaurant Roulette.
During the period of Restaurant Week, members of the LWL committee will randomly select two restaurants per day and randomly select a bill to cover.
This could be for dine in or take out at any point of the day.
This addition is funded by a donation from the Central Bank of Warrensburg.
“With all the stress 2020 put on restaurants, we wanted to come up with an easy way for
them to feel the love and support of our community” Jamie DeBacker, LWL committee member, said. “We also thought this would be a great way to encourage the community to indulge in eating out a few more times than normal during Restaurant Week.”
LWL will have some giveaways through their social media leading up to Restaurant Week and throughout the 10 day promotion.
Restaurant Week is sponsored by the Love What’s Local committee, a partnership between the City of Warrensburg, Warrensburg Main Street and the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce.
Stay up to date with what’s happening during Restaurant Week and more of their upcoming events by following their social media or by visiting warrensburgmainstreet.org or warrensburg.org.
