The owners of Five West, The Loop, and Smoak BBQ went from employing more than 300 people to 14 in the matter of just a week.
Small businesses are taking the economic brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.
The senate passed the cares act to lend a hand to those businesses - as well as hospitals and families.
Smoak-stinger-5 kimt news 3's annalise johnson is talking to an owner of some rochester restaurants that are receiving loan money - and can now pay some of their staff again.
She joins us live with the story.
Annalise?
Live lowerthird2line talent coronavirus:annalise johnson ajohnson@kimt.com coverage you can count on bars and restaurants like five west have had to close during minnesota's stay at home orders.
Many have had to lay off some - or in some cases all of their staff.
The owners of five west - the loop - and smoak bbq went from employing more than 300 people - to 14 in the matter of just a week.
But now they finally have some good news to share.
Smoak-live vo-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:rochester restaurants hire back some staff rochester, mn ..
Ryan brevig is one of the owners.
Two of his three restaurants were approved for a paycheck protection program loan through the federal cares act.
The majority of that funding must be used for payroll... so brevig was able to call up some of the loop and five west staff to offer them their jobs back.
And salaried employees will receive their full salary beginning today.xxx smoak-live sot-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:ryan brevig co-owner, the loop, five west, and smoak bbq i had a really tough time letting all the people go.
That was not something i thought we'd ever do in our careers.
So being able to let them know hey, we've got some funding that's gotta be used on payroll so we can't wait to have you back.
Smoak-live sot-3 here at five west and smoak bbq - the restaurants are still doing carry out during the dinner hours.
The loop is fully closed - but that is only temporarily.
As soon as the state allows - brevig plans to open all the dining rooms again and hire back his full staff.
Live in rochester- annalise johnson-kimt news 3 thank you annalise.
The paycheck protection loans back certain payroll expenses through june 30th.
And business owners won't have to pay it all back if they retain employees at comparable salary levels prior to the crisis.
it will be at least two more weeks before restaurants can open their doors again, but a popular TV personality and chef is offering..
