• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

10 Austin Businesses Doing Right by Employees During COVID-19

April 6, 2020 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Austin Businesses Caring for Employees During COVID-19 Crisis
Local Austin restaurant groups like Tc4 & Co. are making sure employees are cared for during the COVID-19 crisis (Credit: Tc4 & Co.)

Like many around the world, I’m making a mental list of businesses that value profits over people. Make the list and you loose my patronage. Simple as that.

But businesses are in a tough spot. Lay off employees so they can stay afloat, or continue to pay and everyone goes down with the ship? It’s a literal no-win situation.

But some Austin spots are trying to both stay in business and support employees via creative methods. Here are 10 local businesses that are doing right by displaced employees. Not only do they deserve your dollar when this crisis is over, but they’ve earned a virtual high five right now.

1/ Emmer & Rye

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emmer & Rye (@emmerandrye) on Mar 28, 2020 at 2:00pm PDT

Small plates with big flavor are the hallmark of this Rainey Street institution. Like everyone on this list, the doors are still open for pickup and delivery. But if you choose to purchase gift cards, all profits go into an employee emergency fund. An awesome way to give to yourself while giving back.

2/ Lenoir

Side dishes aren’t merely an afterthought at Lenoir (Credit: Joleen Jernigan)

An exploration of flavor and aromas distilled into take-out? Yes, please! Lenoir is a top five culinary experience of mine, and the idea of getting takeaway from this incredible restaurant makes me smile (if it weren’t for the circumstances).

And fortunately for its displaced employees, Lenoir is taking care of them. To support workers, the restaurant has organized a GoFundMe and provided paid sick leave to those still working, plus all employees have access to a primary care doctor. Awesome generosity from an exceptional establishment.

3/ New Waterloo (Sway, La Condesa, Il Brutto, More)

New Waterloo Restaurant Group Supports Employees During COVID-19

A few weeks ago, operators of some of Austin’s hottest spots were forced to furlough 550 employees across all 12 restaurants and bars in the New Waterloo group. To dampen the blow, the restaurant group staged an online telethon to raise money for staffers.

As of this article, the event has brought in more than $59,000. Add to the generosity continued healthcare and free meals from unused food, and the New Waterloo team is showing true care for the family they’ve created.

4/ Nova Hospitality (Nova Kitchen, Devil May Care, TenTen)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TenTen Restaurant (@tentenatx) on Mar 30, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT

Another hospitality group more concerned with employee well-being than profits, Nova Hospitality is providing 100 percent of profits and gratuities to displaced staff. In addition, all restaurants are providing laid-off employees with daily meals and have committed to rehiring everyone once the dining ban is lifted. Another group doing right by the people that made it successful.

5/ Parkside Projects (Parkside, The Backspace, olive & june, Vamanos, Jugo)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by olive & june (@oliveandjuneatx) on Mar 31, 2020 at 9:18am PDT

Following a similar line as Hundred for Hospitality, all restaurants under the Parkside Projects umbrella are providing half-price meals for anyone in the service industry. All employees are keeping health benefits, and all sales will be poured back into the pockets of needy industry workers.

6/ Pinballz

Pinballz Supporting Employees During COVID-19
Pinballz (Credit: Bill Tucker)

In the wake of its closure, Pinballz created an Employee Relief Fund that sends weekly checks to displaced employees. These funds go on top of whatever unemployment checks staff members receive, offering an extra boost when employees need it most.

The Employee Relief Fund is primarily funded by Pinballz, but you can donate through direct contributions or by pre-buying game cards. Buy a $50 game card now and 10 percent goes to the fund. A lovely way to pay in advance and help neighbors in need.

Keep reading: Pinballz Combines ’80s Nostalgia With Modern Games Since 2010

7/ The Soup Peddler

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soup Peddler (@souppeddler) on Apr 2, 2020 at 12:14pm PDT

Delicious soup has been the name of the game for this Austin mainstay for years. Now, during a dire time, The Soup Peddler has done the near unthinkable: offer unlimited paid sick days to employees. Feeling under the weather? Don’t come in. Not only is this fabulous for staff health, but it’s flattening the curve for everyone else.

8/ Tc4 & Co. (Tony C’s, The League)

The League Helping Employees During COVID-19
The League’s fish and chips (Credit: Bill Tucker)

One a traditional pizza/red sauce Italian shop, the other a sports-centric family restaurant serving world-class fish and chips, Tony C’s and The League are a one-two punch of goodness.

The owners of these two restaurants have set up a GoFundMe benefiting employees during the COVID-19 crisis and will match up to $10,000 of donations. As of this writing, they are almost at goal, so please give generously if you can.

Keep reading: Stylish Dining, No Pretentiousness at The League Kitchen & Tavern

9/ Veracruz All Natural

Veracruz All Natural Supporting Employees During COVID-19
Tacos from Veracruz All Natural (Credit: Jenn Hair)

In the wake of the shelter-in-place order, restaurants have kept their metaphorical heads above water through delivery services and curbside pickup. Not many closed the doors full stop to focus on staff. But celebrated taco joint Veracruz All Natural did temporarily shutter to focus on feeding displaced employees. A stunning example of empathy and generosity.

10/ Wheatsville Food Co-op

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wheatsville Food Co-op (@wheatsville) on Mar 27, 2020 at 12:56pm PDT

One of Austin’s original co-op markets, Wheatsville Food Co-op is giving back to employees in an important way. Owners have implemented a $2 “Gratitude Pay” bump for all staff, excluding senior management. Grocery store workers are on the front lines of the virus onslaught, risking health and working long hours so we can keep our pantries full at home. Every bit goes a long way during these trying times.

Keep reading: Wheatsville Co-op Celebrates 40 Years as Austin’s Friendliest Grocer


Pre-buying gift cards and services is a great way to support local businesses. Think you may need a milk + honey spa day when this is all over? Then buy some gift cards NOW and go later.

And don’t be afraid to offer to pre-buy from restaurants and businesses that aren’t already offering the option. Open a pre-paid tab at your favorite bar; pre-order a few haircuts at your local salon; etc. Businesses need the cash now so they can serve you later.


@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

I’m sure I missed quite a few deserving spots. Have a favorite? Give it some love in a comment below!

Filed Under: Austinot Loves, Discoveries, Food, Food & Drink

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Laura
Laura
2 years ago

Black Star Coop! Homeslice!

0
Reply

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of July 1, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Dive In Movies – Wells Branch, Bastrop Patriotic Festival, and more!   Top […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend | Brick Rodeo

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!

  For summer camp information, check out our page for Best Summer Camps in Austin for 2022!  If you would like to discover more Things to do in Austin this Week & Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend, check out Facebook for immediate notifications.

texas swimming holes near austin

Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

If you have been looking for free places to swim in Austin or googling ‘swimming holes near me’, you are in the right place! Texas is known for a lot of things and one of them is relentlessly hot summers. The temperatures are rising in Austin and across the state. Luckily, there are also many […]

Austin trampoline parks - Urban Air Adventure Park (Cedar Park)

Austin Trampoline Parks – Best Indoor Jumping Places for Kids and Adults!

Trampoline parks were among the decade’s most unique leisure attractions. They offer a playful atmosphere where people can defy the laws of physics and have a good time hurling themselves around. It consists of a large room filled wall to wall with trampolines. On the weekend, you may get rid of your boredom and have […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!
  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 1, 2022 Include Brick Rodeo, Party at Independence, and More!
  • Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • 7 Popular Lady Bird Lake Activities to Experience This Year
  • Day Trip in Austin: 10 Places To Visit Like a Tourist
  • 20 Restaurants Open Late in Austin – Best Late Night Food Places For Tasty Eats

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz