Colonial Downs Group will pay Rosie’s employees through April

The gaming company is also donating 20,000 meals to first responders and essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Published March 25, 2020 by Richard Foster

After closing its popular Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and the Colonial Downs Racetrack in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colonial Downs Group announced Wednesday that it will pay all company employees through April and will also transition its Rosie’s Kitchens to providing 20,000 free “grab and go” meals for first responders, medical personnel and other essential workers such as grocery store employees who are serving the community during the crisis.

“Like all Virginians, we are trying to navigate through an incredibly stressful and difficult time. We want our employees to know we are taking every step possible to get them through this period, and that we value their service. That is why we raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour last year at all of our facilities, and it is why we are taking this action today. We hope this announcement provides the men and women who work at Rosie’s with some peace of mind in this challenging moment,” said Aaron Gomes, chief operating officer for Colonial Downs Group, in a statement.

“At the same time, we know that so many of our friends, family and neighbors have to be out there every day on the front line of this fight against the coronavirus. With our facilities closed, we have the capacity to help them, in our own small way, by using our kitchens to provide free meals to Virginia’s community heroes: the police officers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, grocery store employees and all those who are stepping up to serve their fellow Virginians,” Gomes added. “We will work with local leaders and businesses in the localities in which we operate to identify where we can be most helpful in this effort. We hope this partnership helps make a positive difference in the weeks ahead.”

Colonial Downs Group operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent County and Vinton, as well as the Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County.

Rosie’s will offer the meals effective April 1 and will starting taking orders for pick-up on March 30. For more info, visit the company website.