Jenny's View

Friends,

These past few weeks have been some of the most difficult I’ve ever had to endure.  We have built a family here, and it breaks my heart that we had to reduce our workforce until we are past this crisis. The hard-working men and women that make up our family are some of the most loyal, strong, resourceful and compassionate folks I know, and I look forward to the day we can reunite as a team again.

The health and well-being of our guests and employees remains, as always, our top priority. Huge gratitude goes to the staff who continue to show up every day to clean and sanitize the hotel, and care for the guests we have. All lodgings in the state, including La Fonda, are operating at 50% capacity or less. Yet our doors still remain open and our collective spirit remains strong.

We have complied with the new health restrictions that restaurants may only offer take-out service by closing La Fiesta Lounge and the dining room at La Plazuela. Chef Lane and his essential staff have created a new, limited La Plazuela Curbside Dinner Menu available for pickup, with beer and wine selections. Call 505-995-2334 to place your dinner order from 4 pm – 7 pm daily and we’ll run it out to your car. You’ll receive 10% off your second order, too.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to those who have already ordered and shown your support.  That includes one of my friends and a La Fonda regular that has been ordering 3 meals a day from the curbside menu and leaving a tip equal to the cost of each meal.  That’s what I call a loyal La Fonda guest!

When one of our local hospitals sent out an urgent email asking for emergency supplies, I immediately contacted our General Manager, Rik Blyth. Of course, he confirmed that he had already donated 4 cases of protective gloves.

When I asked Chef Lane Warner if we had perishable food left after the governor’s order to stop dining room service, he said he had already donated much of it to Kitchen Angels, our local meal delivery service for seniors and the homebound. We then consoled each other because of the large number of employees that had been furloughed.  Chef said shaking their hands and seeing them go felt like losing relatives. Absolutely it did and it still does.

Our Restaurant Manager, Carol Anglin told me that the last day La Plazuela’s dining room was open and able to serve guests, a customer left an extra $500 tip to be shared amongst the staff.  This was such a moving gesture and a notable example of generosity during this time of hardship.

We are providing boxed lunches for all furloughed employees, some of whom have refused to accept them so others in more difficult circumstances might receive them first. Our managers are taking a 40% salary reduction to help us through this situation, and all employees are allowed to utilize their vacation pay or take personal time off.  We are also continuing to offer health insurance for impacted employees through the time of the furlough. With luck, we will be past this crisis quickly.

In the meantime, we've launched a First Responder Support Fund to help ensure Santa Fe's emergency medical workers have hot, nutritious meals.  Already, our La Plazuela kitchen crew has orders lined up for local hospitals. In addition, we're donating 10% of every gift card purchase toward these efforts. We have also offered local first responders the opportunity to stay free at La Fonda during this crisis.

When things get difficult, you discover who your true family is. That’s why our local businesses depend on your patronage now more than ever. If you can, place a take-out restaurant order. Visit the websites of the musicians who may no longer perform live and purchase their music. Do your holiday gift buying early from one of our Shops at La Fonda – they, along with all nonessential businesses in the state, have been forced to close their doors.  I know your support would be appreciated.

Together we will make our way through this emergency. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support and understanding. We look forward to seeing you in the future in better circumstances,

Jenny