By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A number of St. Joseph restaurants will provide new menu items for area residents during the third annual Restaurant Week.
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Kristi Bailey says all restaurants are asked to do to participate, is to offer something new on its menu for the week.
Bailey says the hope for Restaurant Week is to encourage people to visit local restaurants during slower periods.
"Previously we've done it in February this year there's been some issues with supply chain and so this year we've kind of pushed it back a little bit," Bailey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But, this time of year isn't a super busy time of year for restaurants either so, they were fine with doing it in May."
Bailey says the biggest goal of the week is to put an influx of revenue into local St. Joseph restaurants.
Bailey says the first Restaurant Week occurred in 2020, just before everything shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Last year it was affected, there were some places that weren't fully opened, so all of the restaurants were required to have carry out options for people that were not comfortable with dining in," Bailey explains. "So, this year all the restrictions are off as far as COVID goes."
Bailey says any St. Joseph area restaurant can participate, all the Chambers asks is that the restaurant come up with a new menu or menu item for the week.
Hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Week will run May 10th through the 17th. A list of restaurants participating will be released just before the event.
Bailey says there has been a lot of excitement around this event.
"Especially last year when everyone was hurting, everyone needed business, they were very excited that the Chamber and JoeTown Fun continued to do Restaurant Week to try to get more customers into their business," Bailey says.
Bailey says the number of restaurants already signed up is already close to the number from last year. She expects to pass it by the May 1st sign-up deadline.