10 May 2021
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) declared “Small Business Week” after her response to the coronavirus crushed small businesses.
“Michigan is home to thousands of small businesses that are the backbone of our communities,” Whitmer said in a news release Friday at the tail end of “Small Business Week.”
“Small businesses support the economy, add vibrancy to our communities, and provide hundreds of thousands of jobs across Michigan,” she claimed.
“They have been so resilient through the pandemic and I am committed to getting them the support they need as we build our economy back better,” she added, a play on President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” campaign mantra.
The restaurant needs up to 30 more workers to meet customer demand during the summer. But with the start of the busy tourist season just weeks away, West End Tavern finds itself among restaurants statewide struggling due to the lack of people seeking food service jobs. West End Tavern in Traverse City is busy, with customers waiting up to 2.5 hours for a table at peak times during weekends. (Bridge photo by John Russell)
Constantin answered the phone, seated guests and swept the floor ahead of the dinner rush on Friday. By the end of the night, he said, he would expect to bus tables, help cook, and maybe deliver food to tables, all while managing the entire operation.
Long hours, health risks and ‘ghost applicants’ lead to desperate staffing situations at Michigan restaurants
Today 7:00 AM
Facebook Share
Danielle Scott never thought she’d be turning customers away from her restaurant, but without a full staff behind her, she’s had to limit the hours at Lucy’s Cafe in Grand Rapids.
The dine-in restaurant experience was sorely missed through the worst of the pandemic, and with few entertainment options fully restored, customers are flocking back to Michigan’s eateries but workers are not.
“Some days I just want to cry,” Scott said. “We’re doing so well. Business is great, but we don’t have enough staff so I have to pull [dinner].”
Michigan unveils reopening plan tied to COVID-19 vaccination rates
• 6 min read
Michigan governor talks about spring surge of COVID cases in her state
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer explains why she has resisted calls to shut down her state, which is experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, including among young adults.Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal via Imagn Content Services via USA Today
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a reopening plan Thursday that will tie loosened restrictions to COVID-19 vaccination rate milestones, as the state starts to emerge from a surge in cases and hospitalizations.
So far, nearly half of residents ages 16 and up have gotten their first shots and about 36% are fully vaccinated, said the governor, whose goal is to reach 70% of the population fully vaccinated to near herd immunity.
This state has unveiled a reopening plan tied to COVID-19 vaccination rates
Michigan governor talks about spring surge of COVID cases in her state UP NEXT Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a reopening plan Thursday that will tie loosened restrictions to COVID-19 vaccination rate milestones, as the state starts to emerge from a surge in cases and hospitalizations. So far, nearly half of residents ages 16 and up have gotten their first shots and about 36% are fully vaccinated, said the governor, whose goal is to reach 70% of the population fully vaccinated to near herd immunity. Michigan will likely reach 55% of residents ages 16 and up receiving a first dose by the end of next week, Whitmer said. Two weeks after it hits that benchmark, under the new plan, in-person work for all businesses will be allowed.