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Shining a (purple) light on hospitality workers amid the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco

Bay Area tourism spots light up to honor restaurant and hotel workers left jobless by coronavirus shut down

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

April 20, 2020

9 Slides
SF City Hall 3 by Ron Ryan.jpg
Ron Ryan

Across the country, medical workers and first responders are being celebrated for being on the front lines of the coronavirus battlegrounds, but San Francisco also paid tribute to the many hospitality workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.

Over the course of several days in April, landmarks across the city were bathed in purple lights to honor hospitality workers, including San Francisco International Airport, the Moscone Center, Coit Tower and the Ferry Building, as well as locations in nearby Sonoma, Berkeley, Santa Clara, San Jose, Livermore and Torrance. Some of the many empty hotels also decorated in purple to honor their laid-off employees.

“Thousands of employees in our hospitality and tourism industry have been heavily impacted by the ongoing coronavirus crisis,” said Mayor London Breed in a statement. “We know this is an incredibly difficult time for hospitality workers and that many are experiencing uncertainty and financial hardships. We’re committed to helping them through this time because of all they’ve done for San Francisco. Lighting buildings throughout the city in purple is a symbol of that commitment and our gratitude for their work.”

Tourism is San Francisco’s largest industry. The San Francisco Travel Association reported a total of 26.2 million visitors in 2019, spending $10.2 billion, including in the city’s bars and restaurants.

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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