Owners of 100-Year-Old Alameda Diner Spent $400k of Their Own Money to Avoid Layoffs | Eater SF

"In a heartbreaking but heartwarming coronavirus-era story, I learned that the owners of Ole’s, the classic Alameda diner, spent $400,000 of their own money — even selling the plot of land in San Rafael they'd planned to retire to — in order to retain all 41 of their employees throughout the pandemic. Despite losing 85 percent of their revenue and burning through their federal stimulus loan in two months, Ken and Vickie Moniz, who also run an affiliated restaurant next door, refused to furlough or lay off staff; as Ken told KRON-4, “I can’t ask them to leave and sit here and say we’re going to save our money and take care of ourselves because we didn’t build this business on our own.” The restaurant is currently open for both takeout and outdoor dining." - Luke Tsai