Berlin kicks off ‘Eat Local – Win Local’ initiative to give restaurants a boost

BERLIN, CT (WFSB) - Restaurants nationwide have gone through some very hard times the past few years.

Even through those tough times, Berlin restaurants have banded together to keep business in town.

Berlin has its own “March Madness” in hopes residents put their money back into their town.

Over the next 30 days, nearly 40 restaurants are participating in the initiative.

“You’re really helping to keep the businesses in business but also to recycle the money back in, keep it all in Berlin and maybe try somewhere you’ve never been,” said Chris Edge, Berlin Economic Development Director.

What you have to do is head to one of the restaurants listed below:

Once you go to the restaurant of your choice, you’ll get a card. Check off the box for every $5 you spend and once you spend a total of $50, you’re put in for a raffle prize. All the prizes are donated by local businesses.

Restaurant owners said March is a rough month, especially the ones that aren’t sports bars.

In hopes of getting people out and enjoying restaurants, Berlin is doing its own thing.

“I think this is a great program and this place is an excellent to get some food. I’ve been here several times and I’ve never been disappointed,” said Joyce Merlini, a customer.

“We don’t have the same amount of volume and traffic as we do in the spring and summer months. This really I’m hoping is going to give us a bump,” said Carolina Mimo, Owner, Mimo Bistro & Market.

Carolina just opened her restaurant back in October. She said this is a nice initiative for her as a business owner because the town helped her get started, and they’re continuing to help her stay afloat.

“This I think is going to be really helpful and bump up our sales. That’s all we really need,” Carolina said.

“It’s giving us a lot of opportunity to get more people to notice us,” said Christopher Volz, Owner, Heroes Grill and Bar.

Chris Volz has owned Heroes Bar in Berlin for 15 years. While they’re a crowd favorite, the pandemic still threw in some curveballs.

“That was tough on all of us and it’s still tough. I think we’re still rebounding but we’re coming back strong,” said Chris.

“The people are loyal to their local places. We have a lot of nice places to stop and eat in Berlin,” said Garry Malone, Berlin. “It’s a small town but it’s a very tight knit town.”

You have from now until April 15 to participate.

Close to 1,000 restaurants in Connecticut have closed since the start of the pandemic.

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