Seattle chef Tom Douglas has announced that 12 of his 13 restaurants in the city will close for eight to 12 weeks due to COVID-19, effective March 15.
The Seattle Times reports that Douglas’ restaurants sales have declined up to 90 percent since the outbreak landed in Seattle. Dahlia Bakery is the only establishment that will remain open because it has a contract with Hotel Ändra.
The restaurant group employs over 800 people; most servers and cooks were told they would be laid off, and were given advice on how to file for unemployment. Re-hires will happen on a “case-by-case” basis when the restaurants reopen.
“I am sad for our city. It’s tough going for Seattle now,” Douglas told The Seattle Times. “I am optimistic [that] at the end of the day, in eight to 12 weeks, we will be back at it.”
Photo: TomDouglas.com
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