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Fears of spreading the coronavirus have closed down restaurants and small businesses or made them adjust operations, but a couple of local businessmen have created a game to encourage people to keep visiting.
The restaurant bingo game incentivizes visiting local restaurants, ice cream shops and bars in whatever way they are open, whether by purchasing gift cards, shopping online or picking up curbside.
The original inspiration came from High Impact Entertainment. The owner, Eric Verhoff, created a similar contest for Columbia restaurants. Then, Doug Otto, of American Family Insurance, and Nathan Hays, of Jefferson City Autoplex, came together to create a Jefferson City version.
"The thought process behind it was: How can we get people to start shopping and know who is open?" Otto said.
The rules are simple: support at least seven businesses from the card between March 22 and May 1, connect seven in a row or block for a bingo, and submit photos or receipts to be entered for a chance to win a prize. Weekly drawings will start March 30.
Proof of participation can be sent via email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Participants can also post on social media with #CarryoutJCMO.
Weekly winners will get a $50 gift card to their favorite restaurant in town and a three-pack of wine donated by BarVino. The first person to get a blackout, or fill every space, will win $125 and a three-pack of wine from BarVino.
Matt Green, an owner at BarVino, said they wanted to help support the cause and other businesses after learning the bar had been included on the board.
"We saw we were on the list, and we said, 'We want to donate prizes to this; this is awesome,'" Green said.
Otto and Hays went through a few versions of the card, but the final version, a 7-by-7 grid, was created Wednesday.
The board includes Oscar's Classic Diner, Central Dairy, Steve's Family Restaurant, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Sweet Smoke BBQ, China King, Ecco Lounge, Sawadeee Thai Cuisine, McDonald's, Yanis Coffee Zone, Madison's Cafe, Big Whiskey's, Ice Cream Factory, Paddy Malone's, BarVino, Prison Brews, Tres Agaves, Capital City CORK and Provisions, Three Story Coffee, West Main Pizza, Love Sushi, Towne Grill, Smoothie King, O'Donoghues Steaks and Seafood, Jamaican Jerk Hut, Water Tower Bar & Grill, Theo's Midtown, Lutz's BBQ, El Jimador, Kate & Ally's NY Pizzeria, Kraken Bar & Grill, Brick House Deli, Jefferson City Sub Shop, Pita Pit, La Chica Loca, The Pizza Company, El Espolon, Coldstone Creamery, Love2Nourish, Jimmy John's, The Grand Cafe, High Rise Bakery, Jefferson's Deli, Nick's Family Restaurant and Argyle Catering Company.
Other businesses can be used as substitutions - one per bingo - since not every restaurant can be included. The card also includes four free spaces.
Hays said they just wanted to do their part to help small businesses and restaurants during this difficult time.
"It's just little things that we can do as young leaders in the city and surrounding area to help promote small businesses," Hays said.
To participate, residents can keep track of their bingo card electronically or print it and send photos to Otto or Hays. As of now, the contest ends May 1.
For updated listings of which Jefferson City area restaurants and businesses are open and operating, visit this page on the News Tribune website.