Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Local restaurants turning to take-out
“Erin Take-out.” That was the message of the day as Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 order restricting restaurants and closing bars on one of the biggest weeks of the year - St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness - impacts area restaurants.
“It’s unfortunate, but the necessary steps are being taken to keep everyone safe,” said Jeff Beall, manager at Sligo’s Irish Pub in Media. “We will be open for a limited time tomorrow to allow people to have their traditional Irish meals available so they can celebrate at home with their families.”
Among the classic St. Patrick Day offerings: Shepherd’s
pie, ham, potato and cabbage and, of course, Guinness beer for take-out.
“It’s going to hurt big time. If we can capitalize on take-out we’ll be OK,” said Tom Thornton, CEO of JD McGillicuddy’s Pub in Haverford, who also said this is one of their busiest times of the year.
Along State Street in Media, a number of restaurants are open for takeout and curbside service but it was very quiet Monday with the county courthouse closed and residents hunkering down. A number of businesses were open, including Stephen’s on State, Shere-E-Punjab and 320 Market Cafe, but there was only modest interest.
“Obviously, we are all trying to be as safe possible. We also want to try to help out and provide as much service as possible. We’re trying to have essentials in the market that are available for the way people want to shop. We have milk, bread eggs; we also have some speciality grocery items, prepared food, and a few different beers, house-made salads, things that people can buy to go, no sit down service,” said Matt Hartnett, manager at 320 Market Cafe. “We want to keep it safe for them and safe for us.
“We are going to try as hard as we can to remain open until we hear further from authorities,” Hartnett said. “We are providing a service for everyone. There are people who live around here. What if they stop mass transit?”
“I’ve talked to local restaurants around here. They are really worried about what they can do to sustain themselves. Some are offering some take-out,” said Hartnett.
“It’s almost detrimental compared to normal days. Our entire lunch business is gone because we have nobody coming in for the county seat,” Hartnett said. “The courthouse is closed, they’re not conducting their
business so we’re not able to have business. Our business thrives off that need.”
Zubair Khan, executive director of the Media Business Authority, echoed those thoughts.
“Business is off 50-60 percent or more. Everybody is going through the same thing,” Khan said. “I’ve been in touch with restaurants as they figure a way ahead. It’s been a challenge, but our big concern is not to spread the virus any further.”
Kahn said officials are
encouraging businesses to work more with social media and be creative, offering gift cards. The business authority has already cancelled the film festival planned for the first week of April.
“We never close. People were kind of rolling their eyes, but for the greater good, we need to pull the plug and hunker down,” said Ashley Ernst, co-owner with her husband of Matthews Tavern in Norwood. “We’re hoping it’s just a couple of weeks. That will have the effect. We’d like to stay open - this is going to be a hit for us but we’re hoping we can get everybody together as community.”
Thornton, whose company owns five food-related businesses, said his business should be able to survive a month-long shutdown. They decided Saturday to close and posted it
on social media, but were happy Wolf made the decision that leveled the playing field with other businesses.
“This is a very difficult time for many. We need to support our community and businesses more than ever when we all get through this,” Beall said.
“It was kind of surreal and crazy; I know we made the right decision,” Thornton said. “We employ a lot of people full time,” Thornton said, estimating they have more than 30 employees at the multiple locations. “If we can get them paid, we’ll be fine. I’m hoping it doesn’t get as long as some have predicted. I worry about a longer closure.”