Trying to make a difference for the unemployed

[scarlettina]

I betook myself for a walk just after dinner this evening. I walked across the bridge into Fremont and around the block to add a little distance before coming home. The total walk -- there and back home again -- is about 1.75 miles or so. As I passed Blue C Sushi, I once again saw the sign that's been outside the restaurant door for the last week or so. It says something along the lines of "Work at Getty, Adobe, or Google? Come in for lunch with your ID and get 10% off!" This sign has irked me every time I've seen it. Offices for all three of these companies are within just a block or two of the restaurant. The folks working at these companies a) are employed and can afford a lunch out and, b) certainly earn more than the average worker in Seattle; a lunch out for them isn't a particular hardship. I walked past the sign, and then turned around and came back, suggestion on the tip of my tongue.

I walked into the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess. I told her I wasn't there to eat, but that I had a suggestion. I said, "You know, there are a lot of people unemployed right now. Why not offer them -- us -- a 10% discount? We could use the break. Just ask to see their Worksource card or a recent unemployment check stub. I'd be in here more often if it were a little more affordable." She gave me a big grin and told me it was a great idea, that she would talk to her manager about it.

As I walked home, I began thinking about trying to promote this idea to businesses around the city. I'm not sure how one would do that, though I suppose trying to create some sort of grassroots talking campaign might be one way. It just seems to me that all the big corporations around here organize discounts for working people, but unemployed folks don't get perks --or, more properly, any kind of leg up -- from anyone anywhere. It doesn't seem right, when we're the ones who are hurting for cash.

I want to think about this idea more. If anyone has any ideas about ways to promote this idea or businesses that might be good targets for it, let me know. I don't know just how far I'll pursue it, but I want to devote a little brain time to it to see if it could really have legs.

Comments

[lagilman]

I think this is a damn good idea, especially for the smaller restaurants that used to rely on the small but steady lunch trade.

I don't have any brilliant ideas right now, but I'm free to brainstorm if you'd like...

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

What she said.

[twilight2000.livejournal.com]

Interesting idea - one way might be to twitter such an idea to a twibe that represents Seattle businesses (there should be one - though I've not looked it up yet). That's my first thought anyway :>.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Confession: I'm not yet on Twitter. I know, I know, I ought to be. Maybe I'll go and poke around there. And maybe I should poke around on Facebook, too. I'm certainly there.

[twilight2000.livejournal.com]

Twitter worth poking around on - i just followed the Nebs on a live twitter feed ;>. Jay, Davidlevine, me and a host of other folks are running about, so there's friends ;>.

Facebook should work too - i'm not there, so I don't tend to think of it ;>

[varina8.livejournal.com]

Great idea. I hope they take it up.

[jaylake.livejournal.com]

Wow. That is some sharp thinking. Good on you.

[sallysimpleton.livejournal.com]

I've cringed as I walk by that sign. I've told them something similar recently. And I get the discount.

I'm pretty sure my benny-admin got us a "neighborhood discount" 5 years ago with a ton of other local shops, but Blue C recently started advertising the 10% thing on their whiteboard on the street. I've appreciated the discount, but the sign made me feel awkward from first sight--times are hard for a lot of people who aren't as lucky as those employed by the G&G (can't vouch for knowing Adobe's discount, but maybe they added it to the whiteboard this weekend). And then, the call out by Blue C to those at the GOOG? They could probably care less (I assume) since they have catered food every day of the week. Frankly, I felt it was to lure the GOOG in as GYI felt like way old news. I've talked with other business owners on the block that they were surprised they didn't get their patronage at lunch. They didn't realize that they had on-site catering.

I'm glad you also said something to Blue C. It's not an idiot idea -- quite the opposite -- especially during the recent promotions by companies that they'll cover your car payment (Hyundai?), condo payment (in Northgate) or buy you a suit (JoS Bros).

I'm not sure what prompted me to look you up again tonight via oldmangrumpus as it's been a long while since I said hello: but hi. I like your idea.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Hi! And welcome back! Please feel free to stick around--and thanks for the encouragement.

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

How about writing to the Fremont Blog?

http://www.fremontuniverse.com/

The Ballard Blog is on my daily read.

Or talk it up to Joel Connelly.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

E-mail sent to the Fremont blog. Thank you for the tip!

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Save *some* mileage on that knee and start out with an email campaign to some of the higher end restaurants that typically have websites/email. Also, see if you can't contact a local news reporter with your idea.

Excellent, amazing, wonderful idea!

[skidspoppe.livejournal.com]

And hey... if you start as a community organizer, who knows where it will lead (by the way, if it does lead, can I be your secretary of general coolness :) )

[oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com]

(I'll ignore the comments about you-know-what but) KUOW has some sort of bloggy-thing that they keep mentioning on-air. And who doesn't listen to KUOW.

Or talk to the City Council. No, never mind, that's a terrible idea.

[farmgirl1146.livejournal.com]

Brilliant!

[e-bourne.livejournal.com]

Great idea, and I'm with skiddspoppe, I think community organizer is a fantastic idea. A lot of those kids of things end up building themselves.

Think about it some, and if it still seems like something you want to do, let me know. There's someone I'd put you in touch with who has a lot of practical experience at that sort of thing.

[saycestsay.livejournal.com]

Fantastic idea. With your permission, I'm going to copy this onto my lj, and forward it to LA's ABC7 and KTLA5 and LATIMES.

In LA, if you qualify for unemployment, you get about 30% less than you earned working. Most people live paycheck to paycheck; drastically reduced income (not that unemployment insurance is income) doesn't lead to the confidence to go out to eat or spend on the nonessentials markets that, let's face it, power our economy. This is a pretty good grassroots incentive idea.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Please feel free. That would be awesome.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I like the idea a lot.

[misofuhni.livejournal.com]

It's a great idea to drum up business, the down side to it would be that it would drum up too much business and the restaurant may lose money in the volume of discounts -vs- full paying customers.

If I may suggest a couple of money saving tips, from a mother of three kids. Try Restaurant.com and Entertainment.com, both of these are nationwide.

Restaurant.com is a site where you purchase dollars off a minimum certificates for a fee. If you participate in Upromise.com or you roam around CouponMom.com, you may find discounts on purchasing the certificates. In the end, you may pay $2 for a $25 off of a $50 food purchase certificate at an upscale restaurant in your area. I suggest you check out the participating restaurants before you purchase any certificates, though.

Entertainment.com offers discount books that usually have 2/for1 coupons. They also have discounts for air travel, hotel stays, everyday stuff, like drycleaning, coffee shops, lots of local stuff. Right now in my area, I can purchase the Book for $15, half price of the total price. I purchased mine (with a discount) for $20 and it pays for itself very quickly.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I have a membership from Restaurant.com and an Entertainment book, both of which I use. But thanks for the suggestions.

[twilight2000.livejournal.com]

Given the standard mark-up in restaurants, 10% off shouldn't hurt their bottom line - and the good PR should help drive "full pay" customers - on top of that, you treat me well when I'm unemployed, I'm gonna be a good customer when I get a job.

It should end up a win-win.

[sinthrex.livejournal.com]

It's debatable.

The markups on some items can be high, but the overall profit margin is frequently razor-thin.

[madwriter.livejournal.com]

I think it's a win-win idea--especially if the businesses are hurting too.

[sara-ramirez-1.livejournal.com]

i work for a private school and our school gives out discounts for both nike and intell I say to myself all the time that those are NOT the ppl that need the discounts in the area.. I guess the theory behind it here is that it gets our name out and gives them incentive to enroll.. Which i do understaned a bit but i think it should be more like an enrollment discouint not a full tuition discount of some sort

[cscole.livejournal.com]

Brilliant idea!