Americans across the country are calling for a nationwide “no school, no work, and no shopping” protest on Friday, January 30 as a reaction to the immigration crackdown, the fatal shootings people by federal agents, and the current treatment of immigrants in the United States.
But while many people would like to participate and/or think it’s a good idea, shutting down an independent restaurant or cafe on a Friday night in the slowest dining out month of the year isn’t feasible for every place. After all, restaurants already have tight margins, about 3-percent after basic costs including labor, ingredients, and rent, which doesn’t include any extra expenses such as repair, loss of food, theft, and others.
This is why many places in the Denver metro area remain open. But they aren’t silent, and across social media many have announced plans to donate proceeds to particular charities dedicated to immigration and human rights, and other acts of giving back to the community. Here’s what’s going on at some of our favorites (and what we saw through scrolling), though plenty more have shared plans as well.
Yuan Wonton
“It’s hard to come up with anything to say these days. I think honestly, I’m at a point now where I just feel anger,” wrote chef Penolope Wong on Yuan Wonton’s Instagram.
While the award-winning chef went on to say a lot more, the post conveyed that yes, the restaurant would remain open on Friday. “There is no question we stand in solidarity with Minnesota…we applaud and support our peers who have made the decision to close in support of the national grand strike taking place on 1/30, and we support anyone on our team should they decide to protest.”
Lady Justice Brewing
“We’re gonna make a really honest post, friends,” started the long announcement from Lady Justice on Facebook. “We wish we could afford to close in solidarity for every strike, march, and protest. Unfortunately as a business A: That gives our profits over cost away to organizations across Colorado doing amazing work; and B: That has to function in this version of late-stage capitalism under a regime that is doing everything it can to screw us over with rising costs and tariffs, we just can’t.”
What the all-inclusive brewery is doing is donating 20% of Friday’s sales to Immigrant Freedom Fund, as well as taking in donations for the cause. Also, as it did all of January, $1 from every full pour of Ski Jorts Pale Lager goes to its #PouringGoodness partner, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Odie B’s RiNo
During Odie B’s RiNo Friday burger night, the casual eatery will donate 30-percent of all proceeds to Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. On social media the team announced, “We’re staying open, but we’re feeding people and supporting our community because that’s what we do best.”
Coffee Sarap
Coffee Sarap wrote on its Instagram page, “As a small business, fully closing isn’t financially possible for us right now. But we still stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities and with everyone calling for dignity, accountability, and care.”
While the independent coffee shop won’t close, it’s offering free small coffees on Friday to anyone protesting. The message finished with, “We see you. We honor every form of care and resistance. With love and solidarity.”
Annette
Annette inside the Stanley Marketplace announced on Friday through Sunday it will donate 10% of sales to nonprofits Project Worthmore and Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. A post read, “We have been inspired by the people of Minneapolis as they’ve defended each other against an assault from their own government. We are under no illusions that Denver and Aurora will be spared the same treatment in the coming years. Now is the time to come together and build community. We hope these donations can help with that.”
MAKfam
A post on the Instagram feed reads: “While we remain open for business on Friday, Jan. 30, we are standing in unity with our community and those participating in the national shutdown.”
In lieu of closing, the restaurant will donate 30% of proceeds to Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network and Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
Champagne Tiger
If you are out protesting, stop into Champagne Tiger for a free cup of hot coffee. While the restaurant remains open, it announced on Instagram it will donate 20% of all sales to the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network.
Side Pony
“We stand with those calling for justice and dignity for all and deeply respect and commend the businesses that have decided to be closed January 30th,” read a post on Side Pony’s Instagram. “While we remain open tomorrow, we are (and will always be) standing alongside our community, especially its most vulnerable members.”
The planned Oyster + Martini event has been moved to Saturday, January 31. The cafe will also donate a portion of a special cocktail to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition all of February.
The Greenwich
All day Friday The Greenwich in RiNo team said it will match the day’s sales with a donation to local organizations working to protect and help the vulnerable. It wrote on social media, “We remain open as a place of refuge, where our community is welcomed, fed, and cared for.”
Sap Sua
The team at chef Ni and Anna Nyugen’s sap sua will be participating in the strike this Friday and plans to close for the day. The restaurant announced on Instagram it will reach out to those with reservations.
“We understand how difficult of a position it is to be in as a small business owner, yet we fear this may be the only way,” a post on social media stated. “Choosing to withhold our spending power to enact real change.”
Dio Mio/Redeemer/Johnny Bechamel’s
The restaurants under the Mamas and Papas Hospitality umbrella said on social media that it will keep the restaurants open. Instead of closing, each spot will feature two special cocktails. The proceeds from these drinks will be donated to Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and Casa de Paz, both focused on supporting immigrant families in Colorado.
Good Bones Denver
Already we have seen the “Fuck Ice” latte from Good Bones, where not only can you sip your rage but donate $1 to Casa de Paz at the same time. The coffee shop will be closed for the day in order to protest, but continues to sell the drink before and after.
Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe
Chef Thoa Nyugen’s Vietnamese-French cafe will close on Friday in solidarity with the strike as they will be, “Standing with our community, our team, and our shared humanity.” On social media the cafe announced anyone who has a pickup order will get an email with details on scheduling.
Tessa Delicatessen
As a peaceful protest, the team at Tessa Delicatessen announced it will remain open while feeding the neighborhood cheeseburgers and pasta dishes at 50% off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plus, 20% of all proceeds on Friday will go to Casa de Paz.
TrashHawk Tavern
Joining the strike, the Platt Park bar has decided to close on Friday. “TrashHawk is a small, independently-owned business and a safe space in our neighborhood,” stated a post on the bar’s Instagram page. “We didn’t make this decision without careful thought. We love you Trash BBs more than anything. ‘Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’”
