- Credibility:
BOYSTOWN — Traditional Mexican and vegan restaurant Salsita is giving away free face masks to people who order takeout from the restaurant.
Salsita, at 3706 N. Halsted St., is giving away two free reusable masks to any customers who order an entree and don’t already have one, owner Erick Torres said.
Customers can also receive masks from Torres’ other restaurant, La Cocina in Logan Square, 2901 N. Kedzie Ave., he said.
“Whenever someone comes in without a mask, we hand it to them immediately,” Torres said. “Our job is to protect any customer or future customer from spreading the virus and so on.”
Salsita is distributing the masks through a partnership with Masks 4 Chicago, a Wicker Park-based group that’s crafted and donated thousands of masks to health care workers, first responders, grocery store employees and other essential workers since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
He said business at his two restaurants is down 85 percent and he had to lay off an employee, but the face masks have helped bring in some customers who have never been before.
“We’re getting people who haven’t been able to find a mask anywhere so they’re coming to us,” Torres said.
The restaurants will pass out the masks until their stock runs out, but Torres said he is expecting another delivery from Masks 4 Chicago soon.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Boystown and Lincoln Park for Block Club Chicago.
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