Stevens Point restaurant owner spends thousands to help struggling eateries

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (CBS 58) --- A Wisconsin restaurant owner is doing something extraordinary to help struggling businesses.

El Mezcal owner Adolfo Melendez is taking his advertising budget and spending it on other eateries.

He decided to spend more than $2,000 in gift cards to seven other restaurants. 

He is taking $20 gift cards and raffling them away on his businesses' Facebook page.

"I think it's important to support a small business, that's what makes this little town so strong(er) you know, because big companies come and go," Melendez said.

Restaurants who have gift cards for their businesses being auctioned off say they couldn't be more thankful.

Melendez says he plans to have tow more gift card giveaways in the near future.