DETROIT — Suddenly the number 9 has become the focus of attention in Detroit, specifically “Chapter 9.” Nobody knows exactly where it will take us.
The Whitney, Detroit’s iconic Midtown mansion restaurant, is announcing a program to turn 9 into a positive focus by offering 9% off on all à la carte dining during the month of August AND donating 9% of its August à la carte revenues to assist retired police and firefighters who may lose part of their pensions in the bankruptcy. In other words, whether they choose to dine inside the opulent Whitney for the restaurant’s award winning cuisine or prefer to kick back in the restaurant’s popular garden, guests at The Whitney will save 9% on their full checks and The Whitney will give 9% of its total receipts from à la carte dining throughout the month of August to the retired police and firefighters. Guests will also have the option of contributing their 9% savings to the fund.
“The Chapter 9 filing has been traumatic for everyone in Detroit, but especially for some of the very people who dedicated their lives to protecting Detroiters and are now in jeopardy of losing some or all of their pensions,” said Bud Liebler, owner of The Whitney. “We hope our 9X9 program will encourage more diners to come in because they’ll be helping their fellow citizens get over some very tough hurdles. We also hope other restaurants and businesses will join us in this effort. If we all help each other through this bankruptcy, we can turn “9” into Detroit’s favorite number.”
Liebler said that while he can’t speculate on the amount the program will raise, it should be a minimum of $10,000. He said he hopes the program will be successful enough that it can be extended into future months as well.
