THUNDER BAY – As a small businessman, John Jurcik understands fully what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to Thunder Bay’s economic framework.
He’s one of the lucky ones.
His company, Venshore Mechanical Ltd., is able to operate, albeit with only half of his usual 80 staff contingent on the job.
Jurcik considers himself fortunate, and was looking for a way to give back to the community, particularly an industry hard hit by closures and forced to reinvent themselves.
The life-long Thunder Bay resident said he was reading about an idea called the Lunchbox Challenge, which was started by a construction company in British Columbia.
The company in question decided they wanted to support the local restaurant industry, purchasing meals for 40 employees from Bistro One.
“We know that the restaurant industry has been hit very hard. The challenge part is for others to do the same,” Jurcik said.
“If you’re a mechanical contractor or an industrial contractor or a general contractor in Thunder Bay, you have staff and if you’ve been working, you possibly could do a little good in the area. This is why we want to promote it and help out our local culinary industry.”
Jurcik said it’s important to support dine-in restaurants, which have had to adapt to a service delivery model more suited for the fast-food industry.
“It doesn’t have a drive-through window. It doesn’t usually do take out. They’ve had to adapt and do something different. I think if more people jump on this, it’ll make a little difference. If everybody does a little bit, it’ll make a big difference in the end.”
The challenge was almost immediate accepted by LH North, which operates out of Oliver Paipoonge.
"LH North is excited to accept your challenge! An great initiave and much needed business for local entrepreneurs who really could use some consideration given the circumstances. We’re going to ideally be sourcing our lunchboxes from a restaurant in our backyard of Oliver-Paipoonge," said Andrew Campbell, business manager for the company, in an email response.
Bistro One, like many restaurants in the city, is open for takeout on select nights of the week, offering up select items off their menu.
Takeout is available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and on Fridays from noon until 6 p.m.
Phone or text 807-252-7987 or email bistro@tbaytel.net to order.
Their menu is available on their Facebook page.
