New Campaign Hopes To Help Local Businesses Across Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Even as restaurants are reopening across the state, many are still struggling to make ends meet amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But now, one local group is hoping to encourage everyone to support local.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
The Charm'tastic Mile has launched the hashtag "dining out matters" campaign. The goal is to promote all the restaurants on or near the Charm'tastic mile. That's the strip along Pratt and President streets connecting Downtown-West, the Inner Harbor, and Harbor East.
The Charm'tastic Mile added that they were, "very disturbed" by the incident at Ouzo Bay which also prompted them to launch the campaign.
"[It's] a campaign that ensures that all people are respected when "Dining Out", "No Matter" what color, age or status they are.
This past weekend, Marcia Grant brought her nine-year-old son, who is Black, to eat at the Atlas Group restaurant Ouzo Bay in Harbor East. They were turned away, managers said, because her son had on athletic shorts.
Related Coverage:
- Mother Of Black Boy Denied Table At Ouzo Bay Says She Will Continue To 'Push For Him' And Social Justice
- Two Ouzo Bay Managers No Longer With Restaurant After Black Boy Denied Service Over Alleged Dress Code Violation
- Restaurant Group Apologizes After Black Boy, Mother Denied Service At Baltimore's Ouzo Bay
- Choptank Updates Dress Code Following Criticism
- Dress Code At Baltimore's Choptank Draws Criticism
A video surfaced of a manager telling Grant and her son they couldn't dine at the restaurant because the boy was wearing the shorts.
Atlas Restaurant Group owns more than a dozen bars and restaurants in Baltimore, mostly in Harbor East.
In a lengthy statement Tuesday, they said children 12 and under are no longer subject to a dress code, and the company stands against racism.
The company said it will implement diversity training. They called their treatment of Grant and her son "embarrassing and hurtful."
The Charm'tastic Mile's new campaign starts this Friday.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
