May the fourth be with you this May 4th, the second day of National Travel & Tourism Week. What’s something we do every day that generates over $276 billion in economic value worldwide? Eat! The entire fast food and grocery industry has changed in a matter of weeks after stay-at-home orders were put in place. Fully stocked grocery shelves turned empty in a matter of days and restaurants began offering curbside pickup and delivery instead of sit-down dining, making Americans rethink the way they sustain themselves.

We are thankful to have so many great restaurants in Springfield offering an array of services to make sure food gets on tables. With 657 licensed restaurants in Springfield, dining out is a treat with hundreds of unique dishes and concepts to keep us satisfied and tasting new things for years. Restaurants are home to family businesses, first dates, celebrations, and comfort food for the good and bad days. In 2020, it is estimated that 15.1 million people work in the leisure and hospitality industry, with 22,000 of them working in Springfield. Without crowds, without people, that number has shrunk dramatically due to COVID-19.

We encourage you to support local restaurants in any way that you can, whether it be ordering dessert or buying a gift card to use at a later date. Continue to #LoveSpringfield as much as you can. 

We have another incredible giveaway! Tell us about your favorite restaurant in Springfield and why you love it for a chance to win a $25 gift card to that restaurant. Tell us about it in the comment section of this post. We will be selecting these winners so make sure your post stands out! You’ve got 24 hours!