Thread by @MollyGrantham

Like many, many restaurants, “The Scullery” in Greenville, NC is closed. My younger cousin Matt and his wife Erin pour their hearts and lives into this place. Their food wins awards, they give back to their community, they employ 2-dozen people, and invite everyone... #thread

...on top of that, they also have three young kids. Matt has been posting some true accounts of being on the brink of losing your livelihood on IG (@_TheScullery) while also painting positivity. Because, that’s Matt. He’s an incredibly lovable guy. #thread

Matt and all other restaurant owners across the Carolinas like him deserve light shown on their realities.

“It's a crazy time,” he told me. “It's pretty impossible to know what to do. It's hard not to get discouraged. We've been closed over two weeks. This is a tough business...

“...Most of the time we pay this week’s invoices with last week’s sales. I’m not sure what Erin and I will do, but we’ll survive. I’m more worried about my staff. I hate leaving them with no income.”

This is exactly what many small biz owners say: they’re worried about employees

The NC unemployment line has been a mess, Matt said. We all know that. He went into more details why.

“I don't think any of my staff have been successful getting unemployment,” he said. “There is not really any clear support or direction. Based on Governor updates...

“...I felt confident they’d get unemployment, so I hate feeling like I’ve let them down. Business support is just as difficult. I have applied for a few things, haven't had any response from the SBA EIDL, and my banker is working on the PPP, but it's been changing constantly...

“...At least I have a music degree.” He laughed. “Not that music generally pays much either.”

The variables keep changing. All he does is weigh safety vs economics. And like many small biz owners, they have their kids at home.

“Online school is a rollercoaster of emotions.”

“All in all though, we're still blessed,” Matt said. “We had an insanely busy final weekend, after we announced it was the last one for awhile. One customer set up a Go Fund Me, something we’d never do. And one other customer gave a big donation. And we’re all healthy...

“...We've also been able to do some catering and some service for the community, so we’re still cooking.”

We all have stories to tell. This is literally just one of thousands. But, I love Matt and Erin and wanted to lift them up as what so many are facing. #thread #keepgoing

It’s rare to get a chance to write truth about what business owners are facing in this bizarre world in which we’re all living. My conversation with Matt was a personal reminder—and maybe a thought to anyone reading now—to keep supporting your favorite local mom-and-pop places.

If they have take-out/curbside pick-up, let them know you appreciate it. Or, just send them a message. Follow any of your favorites. Many still post. Check in on those places. Whether CLT, Greenville, NYC or anywhere else wherever you are, their people are part of your community.

I end with again with group picture. Maybe reading about “The Scullery” in eastern NC will remind us all about the day-to-day mix of struggles-and-optimism being managed in households and communities everywhere.

Picture from their holiday party. Never could’ve seen this coming.