KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite struggling to stay afloat, Soiree Steak and Oyster House in the 18th and Vine District is showing its appreciation for health care workers.
The business announced its temporary closure on Facebook several weeks ago.
Owner Anita Moore said her business took a huge hit after the most recent COVID-19 restrictions put in place in Kansas City, Missouri.
"Although I understand them it was like another slap in the face," Moore said. "We were totally dead that weekend, and I think everybody was just at their breaking point."
Moore said she was heartbroken to announce the closure.
"When you do something and you put your heart and soul into it and your life savings it's like your baby, and you're just watching it fade away and it's very emotional," Moore said.
However, community support gave her the push she needed to stay open. The business is doing private events, shifting its schedule to Thursdays through Sundays and partnering with local entertainment to bring in more revenue.
"It was very encouraging, I got together again with my staff and they were like no we can do this, let's open," Moore said. "We're just trying to get our mojo back now."
Moore said she and her staff were inspired when watching the first health care workers in the metro receive their COVID-19 vaccine. A staffer brought up the idea to cater a meal for them.
Workers spent Thursday afternoon prepping 50 meals to be delivered to Truman Medical Center.
"They're angels, I mean I don't think they get the full support they need," Moore said. "They're working 12, 14-hour shifts, some of them don't get the chance to see their own family because they're helping us get well so we just appreciate them."
Moore put a call out on social media and other local businesses jumped in to help too.
This includes Lawona Jeffery, owner of Cherish the Cakes, who made 100 health care themed cupcakes to send along too.
"I always feel like it's important to give back especially this time of year," Jeffery said. "COVID has affected everyone's life but especially doctors and nurses, they have not had any time off."
Moore said watching healthcare workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine gives her a new sense of hope. She hopes others will feel it too and continue to lift each other up.
"Even during times like this I think if we all just stick together and help each other out, we're always stronger in numbers," Moore said.
