On August 11, a multiple-alarm fire erupted in the 300 block of downtown Salt Lake City’s historic Main Street, reducing several beloved eateries to ash.
Overnight, the incident left close to 200 restaurant and bar staff unemployed.
Despite the outpouring of community support, some of those affected don’t qualify for unemployment, leaving them without a safety net.
Order Up! aims to provide direct and immediate funds to those left most vulnerable following the blaze: back-of-house staff at London Belle, White Horse, Los Tapatíos and Whiskey Street.

“These are people [who] have taken care of us,” actor and downtown denizen Ty Burrell said in a widely shared video. “Now it’s our turn to take care of them.”
In that spirit, and for one day only, on Sunday, Aug. 31 from 11 am to 4 pm, Square Kitchen SLC (751 W 800 South, 84104) will turn into a sui generis pop-up, offering a grab-and-go burger for purchase inspired by the menu of one of the affected restaurants.
“At Square Kitchen, food dreams take root. Today, we honor that spirit by paying it forward — standing with the back-of-house workers who lost their jobs and safety net in the wake of the downtown fires,” Ana Valdemoros, event organizer and Square Kitchen co-founder, said. “This is community helping community, coming together to lift each other up when it’s needed most.”
The community at large is invited to attend, and support those dedicated staffers left in a precarious situation following the blaze.
“As witnessed by other fundraising efforts, Salt Lakers’ generous spirit remains unmatched,” We Ride at Dawn’s Enrique Limón, said. “With the end of the month quickly approaching, our hope is that the community rallies behind this grassroots effort to provide immediate support for those most vulnerable.”

Leave a comment