The restaurant industry has been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, and many of our local eateries are struggling to survive. Some, like Swannanoa’s Native Kitchen, have already closed their doors for good.

In an effort to help our local restaurants stay afloat, the Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with town officials, has launched “Takeout 21”, a new initiative that encourages residents to spend at least $21 a week on takeout meals from Swannanoa Valley restaurants. The initiative officially kicked off on January 27, and continues through the winter.

The Chamber has created a special website that makes it easy for folks to place their takeout orders. Visit www.blackmountainchamber.com for a list of Swannanoa Valley restaurants; just click on the hyperlinked phone number to make your call. There’s also a form you can fill out to pledge your support for “Takeout 21.”

If you have the resources to spare, please consider supporting our local restaurants. It will help ensure that your favorite spots will still be open when springtime finally rolls around.