Take-out Tuesday aims at helping restaurants during coronavirus pandemic

Tuesday, there was only one employee behind the counter at Southern Grounds at the San Marco location.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, there would have been at least two other employees helping at the coffee shop.

Operating partner Aaron Helmer told Action News Jax, “You get used to a level of business and then 75% of that is taken away – that really hurts.”

Restaurants around the city said they’re facing the same struggle.

RELATED: Take-out Bingo: Supporting local businesses during coronavirus pandemic

Action News Jax reported earlier in March when the businesses were forced to move to takeout only – an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“I think without these local businesses we really don’t have a Jacksonville. What makes this city is our local businesses," Brittany Nazario, a San Marco mother, said.

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The JAX Chamber started #TakeoutTuesday to encourage families to support area restaurants.

Nazario and other customers said they’re more than willing to participate in the initiative.

“I feel like supporting local business is important," she said. "If everyone could rally around them for one day, why not?”

Helmer said he’s appreciative.

“Hopefully the more they get the word out and the more they put that, it will certainly help,” he said.

You can share pictures of your take-out Tuesday on social media using the following hashtags:

• #TakeoutTuesday
• #ILoveJax
• #JaxInThisTogether

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