1736 Magazine - Vision for the Future

“We had to hang on, had to let a few people go in March, and
then they chose not to come back because money was better for
them to stay home, if you know what I mean. But we’ve been
hanging in there most every day.”
— Luanne Hildebrandt
Tea, lemonade and water await the next thirsty customer at Hildebrandt’s. [MICHAEL HOLAHAN/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]
and got $8,000.
The store’s staff has never been
particularly large, and even after seeing
some workers go, “three or four” are still
employed, Hildebrandt said. “I’ve got
someone who only comes a couple days
a week because another one’s in school,
and they don’t all work at the same
time.”
The number of daily diners still is
“down a bit,” she said.
While she moves the family business
through a second pandemic, Hildebrandt
said she doesn’t remember relatives
discussing that first pandemic.
“My brother Luer Henry, who died
in September, he was the historian. He
could’ve told you anything,” she said.
“Looking back, you wish you could talk
to them now.”
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