kō•än and so•ca to Reopen on “Juneteenth” with NAACP Fundraiser & Reimagined Business Practices
After more than three weeks of reimagining their future in the food service industry, the kō•än and so•ca family have regrouped and renamed themselves as “hospitality•NOW.” This renaming of the restaurant group includes paying employees a living wage of $15 minimum per hour and offering paid time off to incentivize anyone feeling ill, to stay home. Tipping is still encouraged from patrons; kō•än and so•ca are simply making these additional necessary changes to take care of their restaurant family and will continue striving to promote pay equity throughout the company.
Both restaurants plan to reopen on June 19th, “Juneteenth,” with a special nod to the Black Lives Matter movement. kō•än and so•ca plan to donate 100% of all proceeds to the NAACP and Black Lives Matter Bailfund Campaign on reopening day. Owner Sean Degnan says, “An industry built on racism, slavery and mistreatment of vulnerable human beings, should go away for good, along with all the other statues and relics and reminders of our shameful past…the murder of George Floyd like so many others, and the many victims of sexual abuse in our community and our industry were the terrible miracles we all needed to witness, in order to ever make any real and lasting change.”
kō•än and so•ca will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4pm to 9pm. Mondays will be used as manager retreat days, giving the restaurant’s leadership team time to reflect on their mission, values and vision.
About “hospitality•NOW”
In addition to paying a living wage and splitting tips, “hospitality•NOW” will include a 10% sustainable hospitality charge on all kō•än and so•ca dining experiences. Degnan says, “This 10% charge will allow both restaurants to help fund sick time for employees, which keeps our guests and staff safe.” With this reimagining of the food service industry, the team hopes other restaurants will do the same and that the community will start using #86two13 on social media, to encourage owners to rethink the industry standard of paying staff $2.13 per hour. Degnan states, “It’s time to show respect and treat our staff with dignity, and paying a living, sustainable wage does just that.”
In regards to COVID-19 practices, “hospitality•NOW” employees will adhere to social distancing and continue to wear gloves and masks. kō•än and so•ca have created a plan to serve all guests safely, in the long term, while not risking any of their employees getting sick themselves. In the event that someone does get sick at the restaurant—a guest or employee—they will close for at least two weeks or until it is safe to reopen again.
When the restaurants reopen on June 19th, you will be getting a healthy, rested and incentivized culinary and service staff; and a safe, sanitary and seamless dining experience. Degnan hopes to help change the restaurant industry for the better, and that other restaurant owners follow suit.
About kō•än
With a focus on humble, tranquil, “food for thought,” kō•än brings a renewed energy and feel to Cary’s dining scene. kō•än’s menu is focused on celebrating the unsung heroes of Southeast Asian cuisine. The restaurant is located at 2800 Renaissance Park Pl., Cary, NC 27513. The kitchen at kō•än is led by Executive Chef Drew Smith, formerly of Raleigh’s bu•ku and so•ca, and winner of 2019’s Cooking for a Classic dining competition. Smith’s menu and vision for kō•än includes an array of small plates like Lobster Gyoza and their famed Cauliflower, along with large plates like Korean BBQ and Pho. Follow along with kō•än on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About so•ca
Located on the corner of Oberlin Rd. and Clark Ave., so•ca cocina latina shares their exotic culinary story seven nights a week during dinner service and on the weekends during brunch. so•ca’s menu is inspired by the foods commonly eaten in more than 20 countries, all represented on the restaurant’s menu. Indeed, while you might not find Brazilian Feijoada, Pork Cheeks, or Puerto Rican Mofongo in many restaurants within the beltline or even in a resort in these countries, you will find them on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Lima, and Fajardo in vendor stalls or in the homes of the people that live in these lands. Follow along with so•ca on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.