On March 19 of last year, C.J. Krawczyk and his wife Julie celebrated his birthday by organizing a fundraising campaign to give some of their favorite restaurants “a lifeline until government relief arrived” at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Save Our Spots” fundraiser started with a modest goal of $15,000 (including an initial $4,600 donation made by the Krawczyks), but thanks to generosity from the community, the campaign wound up raising a total of $33,455 to be split between six restaurants—The Tandem, Goodkind, Three Brothers, Ca’Lucchenzo, Interval, and Bavette La Boucherie—as they awaited relief from the government (which they did not receive whatsoever in 2020). Along the way, C.J. and Julie even appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss the successful philanthropic venture.
Unfortunately, we’re still dealing with the COVID-19 crisis this March 19. However, with better days seemingly on the horizon, the Krawczyks are looking to give those restaurants one more push to help make it past the pandemic. This morning, they launched Save Our Spots 247. The second annual fundraising effort is hoping to raise at least $14,747 for those same six “treasured restaurants in need.” The Krawczyks will once again throw in some money of their own, matching donations (up to $4,700).
The organizers outline the continued need for support in the fundraiser’s description:
“Despite herculean efforts from some local advocates (looking at you, Dan Jacobs), government support for independent restaurants was non-existent until the coronavirus relief bill was signed into law last Friday. While that money is now promised, its delivery date remains uncertain—and it could very well arrive too late for some or not at all.”
If you have the means to contribute some money to the Save Our Spots 247 campaign, you can donate HERE. That failing, we urge you to support any and every local restaurant, bar, brewery, distillery, coffee roaster, or anything else you want to see standing on the other side of this crisis. Things are improving and there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re not there yet.