Matthews Commissioner Planning Street Event To Give A Boost To Local Businesses

Matthews, NC – One Matthews commissioner is pushing for an open street event that would inject some life into an area that has been impacted by the pandemic.

“Our businesses are struggling and I would like to support our small businesses in town,” said Jeff Miller, a Matthews commissioner.

The town has had to cancel events like Food Truck Fridays, concerts in the park, and Matthews Alive.

“Many people are becoming restless.The businesses need a shot in terms of cash flow,” said Miller

Miller is proposing a new event called “Matthews is Still Alive.” He envisions a street party atmosphere.

“You have a lot more open space to socially distance,” said Miller.

Miller says businesses can use their parking lots and patios as well as closed streets to host people.

Masks would be required and people would have to follow any state guidelines that are in place.

The first event would be in Mid October. Miller has identified seven other weekends that could possible be utilized for events the rest of the year.

“I don’t want the citizens to give up or assume that this is the new normal and become complacent,” said Miller.

“I’m all for that. I’ll be in 100% on that and helping contribute,” said Bob Klein, the Co-owner of Stumptown Station.

Klein’s bar has been closed for five months. He says she hasn’t seen hard data for why restaurant can open, but not bars.

“It’s been too long and he needs to tell us why. He needs to give us some answers,” said Klein.

State health officials say bars remain closed because they are indoors, have a lot of people,and that maintaining face coverings and distancing can be difficult.

“If they don’t get a shot of cash flow, they might fold and we’ve fought too hard to support Matthews,” said Miller.

The street event plan will be presented to the town board on Monday night. In the meantime, Klein says he’ll keep pushing for the reopening of bars.

According to the latest directives from the Governor’s Office; the earliest bars would be able to open is September 11th.