A Denver restaurant owner is trying to stay open amidst rising COVID-19 cases and inconsistent messaging about health restrictions from state and federal officials.
Most chain restaurants have managed to stay open throughout the pandemic thanks to corporate money and resources.
It's the locally-owned restaurants that have been hit the hardest. With limited resources from the state and congress, some restaurateurs have tried to take matters into their own hands.
Stephanie Bonin, owner of Denver restaurant Duo, says she has had to lay off most of her staff to stay open.
"COVID has taken so much joy out of everyone's lives and for the restaurant industry that's no different," Bonin told 9NEWS. "Small businesses don't have deep pockets to be able to bounce from situations like this. That's where the call for economic relief is coming from."
Seeing her community's collective struggle led Bonin to start a Change.org petition for more pandemic relief.
"The petition asked for $2,000 a month ongoing through the pandemic," she said.
Currently, the petition targeted at the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate is on its way to 2 million signatures.
"Congress doesn't seem to be reacting to those numbers, but people like me on the ground, we're living it," Bonin said. "We're saying very clearly, we need help. Where are you right now?"
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