Two businesses located in Bluff, San Juan County, have been awarded Shop in Utah grants through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). The recipients include Desert Rose Resort and Cabins and Crazy Crow Cafe at Twin Rocks.
The state program is designed to stimulate consumer spending by matching COVID-19 related losses up to $50,000, provided that grant recipients offer an incentive for customers to purchase their products or services.
Desert Rose Resort and Cabins is utilizing the funding to offer a promotion where guests booking during August receive a second night of equal or lesser value at no additional cost. The offer must be redeemed by the end of 2020.
Owner Cindy Tumeh stated that the discount was intended to encourage visitors to stay an extra night and spend money with other local businesses in Bluff, such as restaurants and tour operators. Tumeh noted a significant decline in recent bookings compared to typical seasonal levels.
In addition to expressing appreciation for state and local resources, Tumeh specifically thanked GOED and San Juan County Economic Development and Visitors Services Director Natalie Randall for their efforts to mitigate financial fallout from the pandemic.
Steve Simpson, owner of Twin Rocks Trading Post and Crazy Crow Cafe, was also a recipient of the grant. Rather than using the funds solely for business relief, Simpson and Crazy Crow Cafe manager Frances van der Stappen developed an initiative to support local hunger relief.
Under this arrangement, for every dollar spent at Crazy Crow Cafe, the cafe will donate an equal amount to a Bluff area hunger relief project. This food distribution initiative is created in partnership with St. Christopher's Episcopal Mission to the Navajo.
Van der Stappen noted that while hunger has always been an issue in San Juan County, the pandemic has increased the level of desperation for local families. She added that a full-time food pantry will soon be available through the efforts of the cafe, community volunteers, and St. Christopher’s.
