DEARBORN — Upon reopening for indoor dining with restrictions, the owners of Roman Village and Antonio’s Cucina Italiana gave back to their employees.

On Tuesday, the owners split 50 percent of their sales to show their appreciation to their employees.

Part owner Patrick Rugiero said it’s not about the money.

“It’s not about the profits,” he said. “It’s for the employees. There’s such a commitment by the employees to continue to work through this. Some of them could have taken an easier route and they didn’t. They decided to stick it out and work through it. We’re just trying to repay them and show them our appreciation.”

Co-Owner Patrick Rugiero

Roman Village General Manager Amin Mahmoud said that the gesture was widely accepted.

“It means a lot that they are coming out, making the effort,” Mahmoud said. “We appreciate the customers because they are the ones that keep us going.”

The Rugiero family owns five restaurants across Metro Detroit and they have seen the struggles the restaurant workers have faced firsthand.

Rugiero said that their restaurants may not even make a profit with the 25 percent capacity limit, but it won’t stop their family from thanking their employees.

“Today is their day and it’s our appreciation for their service to our restaurants and our industry,” he said.