TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — With the economic uncertainties from the coronavirus, we here at ABC 27 are shining a light on businesses that are doing their part to help out the community while keeping their business open.
Hidden Garden Eatery says, "We're Open, Tallahassee!" and ready to serve you on this "Takeout Tuesday."
Taking items left on store shelves and giving them away to those who need it most.Hidden Garden is staying open during the crisis while giving customers a chance to keep their families fed.
Owner Larry Scoma says his business is part of the community, helping employees stay on track and families from going hungry.
As if it was strategically placed on Sharer Road, Hidden Garden Eatery is living up to it's location.
Next to the food stamp application office, sharing shelved bakery items in front of the store that people can pick up for free.
"We say, take all you want," said Larry Scoma, the founder of Hidden Garden Eatery.
The Eatery sits empty, but more and more people come by. Scoma is making sure his employees keep their jobs, despite less money coming in.
Most of them, like Jeffrey Durrance, the kitchen manager at Hidden Garden Eatery, are recovering addicts. Losing their jobs could be a huge setback on their road to recovery.
"He keeps me accountable, and being accountable is a very important part in recovery," said Durrance. "So being able to keep me on, keeps me accountable to be here."
It's that sense of purpose keeping Hidden Garden growing.
As healthcare workers battle the virus, Scoma is offering a discount for anyone placing a large order for those community heroes.
Last week, he teamed up with someone seeking to provide lunch for staff at the Apalachee Hospital detox unit, and he has another large lunch donation going out Wednesday.
To visit the Hidden Garden Eatery website, click here. You can also connect with the restaurant on Facebook, here.
If you're a business supporting our community, we want to hear from you.
ABC 27 has made it easy to submit your own business.
This is not just Tallahassee. South Georgia small businesses, we want to hear from you too!
Click on the We're Open, Tallahassee tab at the top of the ABC 27 website. Then, tell us your story by filling out the section to the right.
It's our way of letting people know you are open for business, and how they can support you.
