The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on small businesses across the county and Chapel Hill is beginning to feel the effects.

Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe on Franklin Street has set up a GoFundMe page to help its employees. The restaurants applied for small business loans and grants, but was told all the funding has been exhausted.

It’s been an honor to be part of the community since we opened in 1972.  But recent events have completely disrupted our business and the lives of our employees.

We’ve been closed since March 17th, and the last time we were able to pay our employees was March 26th.  Like many other small businesses, Ye Olde applied for small business loans and grants, but we heard today that all of the funding has been exhausted.  None of the small businesses we know, including us, saw a dime of it.

Like many of the people in the food industry, our employees are vulnerable and need help paying for food and rent.  Any donation you can provide would give these employees a lifeline and would be so greatly appreciated.

As of the time of publishing, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe has raised $2,000 of its $20,000 goal.

On Tuesday, Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza on Franklin Street announced it would be permanently closing. The restaurant had been open since 2015, but said in a Facebook post that “due to the recent pandemic and lack of business we have no choice but to close down.”

Featured image via the Town of Chapel Hill

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