KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As businesses slowly reopen, The Rieger in the Crossroads Arts District remains closed.
During the pandemic, The Rieger has continued its work as the Crossroads Community Kitchen, serving more than 60,000 meals to people in need in the Kansas City metro.
All of the proceeds from the meals went directly to The Rieger’s hourly employees. While the community kitchen continues, the business is working on reopening plans.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for The Rieger told 41 Action News the restaurant is now looking to expand benefits for employees as a result of the pandemic.
“Each of our business and neighborhood and clientele and staff is different and unique, and what makes sense for one model definitely doesn’t make sense for all of us,” executive chef Howard Hanna said.
Throughout the pandemic, Hanna said The Rieger continued its employee benefits program and is currently looking to expand the program to paid time off and retirement plans.
“We’re trying to extend benefits," Hanna said. "We already have health insurance for our staff. Not a lot of small, independent restaurants can do that, but we figured it out and committed to it and it’s been working."
In order for the benefits program to work and expand, Hanna told 41 Action News that The Rieger will have to reopen and maintain steady business.
Hanna said there are currently no concrete plans for reopening.
