VERO BEACH — Workers displaced from The Wave Kitchen & Bar because of coronavirus concerns could have new jobs by the end of the week, thanks to famed musicians Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
The Estefans are stepping up to help provide immediate employment to those displaced from Estefan-owned and operated businesses in Florida. The Wave Kitchen & Bar, located at the famous beach resort Costa d’ Este, is among several locations that temporarily closed.
On Wednesday, Estefan Enterprises said it partnered with CVS Health to provide the employment opportunities. The partnership is part off CVS Health’s plan to fill 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary jobs nationwide, including store associates, distribution center employees and customer service professionals.
“We’ve all been faced with making very difficult and unfathomable decisions as we navigate our way through this crisis,” Emilio Estefan said in a statement. “Gloria and I are doing everything in our power to find opportunities for our employees and we are very grateful to CVS Health for partnering with our companies.”
Employees at The Wave join hundreds of others who lost their jobs at Estefan-operated businesses in Florida. The companies, including restaurants and hotels, closed or limited their services to take-out or delivery to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
On March 20, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all restaurants across the state to suspend food consumption inside their buildings. Other Estefan-owned businesses that closed include Estefan Kitchen Miami Design District, Larios on the Beach Ocean Drive, Estefan Kitchen Orlando and Cardozo South Beach hotel, officials said.
Estefan Enterprises hopes to match 300 displaced workers with immediate jobs, the company said. Estefan employees have already been placed in CVS Health’s screening process.
The workers were expected to be given new jobs within two days, the company said.
“At a time when the hotel and hospitality industry is facing its most significant challenge, we are proud to be part of a community of leading companies lending a hand in these unprecedented times,” CVS Health Region Director Ahmed Velez said in a statement. “Team members at Estefan Enterprises are a ready and well-trained workforce, and we can see them helping us address the urgent and significant demands of this community.”
