+ Old Blinking Light Highlands Ranch
“Let’s be there for our community and let’s provide jobs for our staff,” says Earl Gonzales, part-owner and general manager of Old Blinking Light in Highlands Ranch. That's been his motto during these hard times.
He says OBL has had to change their concept overnight and continued to enjoy immense support from customers. Earl says many of his customers have been regulars since they opened 14 years ago. “There’s just so much love for having that core group of people that we work hard to build, because now we take care of each other and that's what it’s all about. And that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Earl says owning a restaurant is not just feeding people but being a source of strength and community.
+ Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria Highlands Ranch
Kristy Socarras-Bigalow, owner of Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria in Highlands Ranch says she is grateful for the support she’s gotten from her staff and the community. “Some of these staff have been with me, no joke, 18 years,” she says.
Kristy says she was able to keep her staff, thank to being able to have them take on new responsibilities, the government payroll stimulus, and the continued support of her customers
Cuba Cuba has been able to give back to the community during this hard time, Kristy says, giving aid to organizations such as the Delores Project. "We’ve had a lot of donations and have been able to help families in need," she says.
+ Via Baci Lone Tree
Jeff McCleary, General Manager at Via Baci in Lone Tree, says sanitation and safety are a priority. He says Via Baci lost a quarter of its business during the partial shutdown but are rolling with the punches with their to-go orders. Jeff says Via Baci's repeat customers have been a pillar, keeping the restaurant going. He looks forward to reopening and says, “We are making plans to do it in a smart and safe way.”
+ Cranelli’s Lone Tree
“What we’ve had to overcome is the unknown,” says Lasinda Grane, owner of Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant in Lone Tree. Lasinda is enthusiastic about being able to keep her staff hired through the pandemic and praises the staff she has behind her. “It’s been just absolutely mindblowing how much we’ve all come together as a team, as a family.” Lasinda said she was inspired to help the community when a patron in crutches stopped by to purchase a gift card for a friend in need. Lasinda says they made it their mission to send food to a hospital once a week out of their own pockets. Donations of $5 are accepted. “You just simply cannot get without giving,” says Lasinda.
+ Casa Caliente Highlands Ranch
It’s a juggling act trying to figure out how to operate through a pandemic for small business, says Tim Rasmussen, operating manager of Casa Caliente Restaurante in Highlands Ranch, but like everyone else, they’re getting through it by the support of the community and giving back to the town.
Tim says he is grateful for those who continue to support them through tough times. Their servers are able to pay their bills, “because of the generosity of the people that have come in and been customers of our restaurant for a long time." Casa Caliente was able to supply breakfast burritos to 450 essential workers at Littleton Adventist Hospital early on in the shutdowns. “That was all a donation that we did because, I mean, those guys are fighting the fight for us. It’s the least we can do," Tim says.
+ Grillin Wings & Things Lone Tree
Michael Godart, part owner of Grillin Wings & Things in Lone Tree, says there have been some hurdles, but overall they’ve had a large support from their regulars through the pandemic. “We have a lot of regulars that are continually coming by a couple times a week to keep us around,” says Michael. They were able to continue serving with curbside pickup orders, and Michael says he and his co-owner Shannon Barnes feel blessed for that.
Grillin Wings & Things was also able to donate to Lone Tree Eats, a program initiated by the City of Lone Tree in which residents could donate for meals to be delivered to frontline workers.
+ Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill Lone Tree
At Perry’s Restaurants, the safety and commitment to providing the best service they can during unprecedented times has been apparent.
“We appreciate the trust and confidence of our guests who allow us to continue serving our community,” says Lesa Sorrentino, chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer for Perry's. Perry’s has been devoted to providing the utmost safety through the standard mask and glove requirements.
“Throughout this challenging process, we have strived to continue to offer delicious and convenient meals to our community and we plan to continue some of these to-go options moving forward indefinitely.” With a hope to invite guests back into the restaurant soon Lesa says, “We are thankful for the loyal support of our guests who have adapted with us and continue to support us in these challenging times.”