New Bedford's Cafe Italia Ristorante

One of the reasons for our Save SouthCoast Restaurants campaign is to help not only restaurant owners, but also their employees as well.

"We're definitely not doing (the numbers) that we were doing pre-COVID," said Cindy Martins, manager of Cafe Italia Ristorante in New Bedford and wife of owner Nick Martins. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to bring back our entire staff."

Cindy Martins shared with Michael and Maddie the struggles that the restaurant has endured over the past year, and it hasn't been easy. Between lack of outdoor dining and the rent bill continuing to come in, the Martins worry that they won't make it through this dark time.

"We want everyone to shop local," Martins said. "We're trying to do everything we can on our own."

Here is their story.