Today, Eli’s Restaurants in Milford, Conn. (21 Daniel Street) and Orange, Conn. (285 Boston Post Road) announced that they're offering federal employees $5 craft beers, $5 burgers, and $3 draughts every Monday during the government shutdown.
The discounted prices -- which apply to federal employees who have a valid government issued ID -- begin on Monday, January 20, 2019 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and will last until thru February (Monday, February 25, 2019).
Kevin Fitzsimmons, a co-owner and General Manager at both Eli’s Tavern in Milford and Eli’s Orange, said that during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, an estimated 1,500 federal workers in Connecticut alone are either without paychecks or furloughed.
“Everyone needs to eat, and for those who imbibe, too, a high-quality and affordable option should be available,” said Fitzsimmons. “Now more than ever, federal employees in Connecticut who are subject to the shutdown are struggling without a paycheck, and we want to do our part to provide relief for folks. Because at Eli’s, we see our customers -- and our staff -- as a family.”
Nationwide, the federal government shutdown has directly impacted the lives of some 800,000 federal employees, according to USA Today.
In extending these discounts to federal employees thru February, Fitzsimmons said that even if the shutdown ends earlier, each restaurant will continue providing discounts as folks still be in need for weeks afterward.
“When the shutdown ends, the hardships those who haven’t been paid for several weeks may persist,” said Fitzsimmons. “That’s why we want to continue offering a discount to federal employees beyond when the shutdown, hopefully, ends."
Eli’s Tavern and Eli’s Orange are two of five restaurants affiliated with the Eli’s Restaurant Group. Other Eli’s Restaurant locations are in Hamden and Branford, respectively.