Customers line up early at Take 3 by Grumpy Burger Lady, as the restaurant offered free food on Friday's nationwide economic blackout. Photo by Ben Hensley

As a 24-hour economic blackout commences Friday, one local business hopes its efforts will generate attention and motivate even more consumers to speak out with their pocketbooks.

Her method? Offering free food to people looking to participate in the economic blackout.

Des Washington, who recently celebrated the re-opening of Take 3 by Grumpy Burger Lady, said Friday that people can make their voices heard economically by boycotting major corporations and retailers. Alternatively, they can stimulate the economy by directing their business to local entrepreneurs struggling with higher rent, utilities and rising costs.

“I’ve participated in a number of boycott days and blackout days,” said Washington. “As a business owner I wanted to see how I could expand my reach in educating the community on these things.”

Like many across the country, Washington first heard of the event online. It is spearheaded by John Schwarz, a Queens, New York native, musician, meditation teacher and founder of The People’s Union USA.

Schwarz, who operates the Instagram account TheOneCalledJai, founded the movement to show consumers that they are “stronger together,” according to their website.

The blackout is intended as an act of resistance against what Schwarz says is the malign influence of billionaires, major corporations and political parties on the lives of Americans.

Washington posted her own Instagram video about the event earlier this week informing followers of the event.

Washington said that participation in an economic blackout can be an inconvenience for people. She herself wanted to participate, so the free food idea was born.

While Take 3 by Grumpy Burger Lady will have free food on hand Friday, Washington added that people can still purchase food should they choose. 

After Washington’s social media post, she said other local businesses contacted her for advice and input on how to support the cause.

“It wasn’t really something I released publicly. My dad had some reservations,” said Washington, whose father Brian first opened Take 3 Burgers in 2014 before shutting down in 2020. “We don’t want to come off as any sort of politically-affiliated organization because we’re not. We’re just community members ourselves, even though we are business owners.”

Washington said that the day is not about their business, but rather the community.

“I think that anybody who has followed me or my dad throughout our existence in this community through our businesses and beyond, will know that we’ve always shown up as community advocates and as active members of the community,” she said.

Washington said that while there have been challenges in reopening, they will take the “back burner” on this day when the restaurant is more of a “platform” than a business. 

Take 3 by Grumpy Burger Lady is open from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Thursday, the business extends its hours until 3:30 p.m.