Restaurants cope as state shuts down dining rooms
Friday nights are typically packed in Vincenzo’s Ristorante, an Italian restaurant along Route 662 in Amity Township.
The most recent Friday was different.
The dining room was closed as per Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close dine-in restaurants, recreational events, and other nonessential business to prevent the coronavirus COVID-19 from spreading.
The chairs were upside down on the tables. The floors and tables were scrubbed clean and the lights were out.
Vinnie Brutto, owner of Vincenzo’s, was on top of Wolf’s order, which started on March 16.
“On Monday, we canceled all of our reservations and closed the dining room,” Brutto said. “We started following the guidelines immediately.”
Knowing that his restaurant attracts a steady stream of local customers, Brutto ramped up his takeout service.
In the beginning of the week, business was slower than normal.
But by Friday night, he said, it started to pick up. A steady stream of patrons stopped in quickly to pick up takeout.
Restaurant employees only allowed less than 10 people in the takeout area of the restaurant at a time as per recommendations of President Trump.
“We have people waiting outside,” he said. “Today was our best day, and we are very appreciative of our customers.”
Brutto said that his hope is that everyone is safe.
“We are happy to provide home-cooked meals,” he said.
However, all is not rosy. Brutto said that takeout only makes up 20 percent of the restaurant’s usual business.
By Saturday morning, restaurants in Berks County that typically serve breakfast were closed.
Neon signs flashed at Queen City Diner on Lancaster Avenue in Reading reading, “Closed Until Further Notice. Please be Safe.”
At Deluxe Diner in Shillington,
the sign reads, “Closed.”
Pizza Time, 640 Lancaster Ave., was getting prepared for a busy day of deliveries.
Friday night was very busy, the restaurant employees said.
All of the dining room chairs were on top of the tables, to prevent customers from congregating inside the restaurant.
Kyleigh Yost, 18, of Exeter Township, said there were a lot of orders for chicken wings.
“We expect to be busy,” she said.
Effie Clauser, the owner of Effie’s Charcoal Chef restaurant, penned a personal note for the front door.
“Following Pennsylvania state’s mandate and under the circumstances, with great regret Effies’s Charcoal Chef will be closed until 3/30 or until further notice. Thank you for your understanding. See you soon. Effie.”