The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
IN THIS TOGETHER
Restaurants remain open for carryout, delivery
While the current stay-athome order due to the coronavirus pandemic is in effect, many Lorain restaurants still are open for pick up and delivery.
“It’s important for the public to know that these food options are still here and open in downtown Lorain,” said Lorain police Sgt. Jake Morris, who is the community liaison for the Lorain Police Department. “I started a Facebook group, called Lorain Food Spots.
“The idea is going to celebrate the businesses that do stuff to
“It’s important for the public to know that these food options are still here and open in downtown Lorain.” — Lorain police Sgt. Jake Morris
help the smaller businesses in the city. There are like 50 or so small businesses in the area that we are aiming to help by raising awareness. More information about the open tab program is on the Facebook page.”
One of the restaurants involved is Broadway Mary’s, 939 Broadway.
“This is a unique situation because we were in soft opening mode,” said Mary Fields, owner of Broadway Mary’s and Brew & Stew, at 603 Broadway. “Trying to work out all the kinks but as of (March 23), I changed our hours (11 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily) to cover lunch and dinner because there has been more requests for dinner.”
Fields said the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t changed how hard she is working to keep things moving.
“We started Feb. 20, but we do have a following from Brew & Stew,” she said. “Honestly, the situation hasn’t changed a lot because I would have already been working hard to run two businesses, and my goal is to bring a couple of more businesses to Broadway.”
Quality food
Fields said the quality of Broadway Mary’s burgers is a good reason to buy local.
“We’re using fresh Angus beef, real butter, an Orlando bun (brioche egg bun), our cheeses are organic, we source our fresh-cut potatoes and we make homemade sauces,” she said. “We have either Fligner’s or Polansky’s; we source from there.
“It’s been a little harder to source now because all manufacturers are catering more toward retail, so food services are having a harder time sourcing ingredients. But, we’re still sourcing from the same locations because we want to keep our quality.”
Fields said closing the dining area takes away a big part of the business.
“Part of the experience when you buy our burger is the dining experience,” she said. “We have an eclectic vibe where you can relax. With that taken out of the equation ... you still want a good burger.
“Now, you got curbside where we can take it out or we will deliver it to you. During this lockdown, say you need some eggs at the store or a pack of cigarettes along with the burger, I will stop by the store and pick it up for you.
“We will deliver to Amherst, Berea or wherever in the area. We don’t only want to be your restaurant, we want to be your partner and your friend. We’re all in this together.”
Generosity
Fields said she gave her employees a $2 an hour raise.
“I want them to know I want them to be OK,” she said. “I also have an open ticket campaign.
“Someone came in and was basically like what can we do to help? I said prepay a meal, so people who are losing their job can come in and have that meal. Kind of like a pay it forward.
“I posted that, and
Keith Marsh, who is moving a business (Specialized Trust) in at 540 Broadway, bought 100 meals for folks. So, his company donated 100 and Keith Marsh, out of his own pocket, donated 100.”
Fields said the program generates a lot for local businesses.
“The first day that the tab was going, I was busy,” she said. “But, I think I only gave out 10 free meals.
“This is generating, not just free meals for people, but it’s also great for revenue.”
Morris said there also is a selfish component to this that Lorain residents should have.
“I was looking at it from the aspect of what we have to lose during this (closures due to COVID-19),” he said. “What would Broadway be like if we lost Broadway Mary’s, Brew & Stew or Campana’s Pizza?
“How unfair is it that shortly after Broadway Mary’s opens, they are hit with this once-in-a-lifetime virus? We have to get it through that these are your burger places, your pizza place, your coffee shops and we need to support them.
“We want to celebrate the people who are shopping local at businesses like Cakes by the Lake or Union Town (Provisions). So, post after you shop local using #LorainEats.”
Morris said Lorain City Councilman Rob McFarland has been involved.
“He bought every cop working night shift one day a sandwich at Union Town,” Morris said. “He gave Union Town’s workers the names of each of the officers on night shift, and we put out that every officer can come and pick it up.
“For a large business, it’s an opportunity to do something for employees and help smaller businesses in the local community.”
Fields said it’s great to see some of the employees from other businesses in the area, who are now nonessential, come by.
“We don’t want any of these businesses to leave,” she said. “We are not only here to help our own businesses, we want to help our neighbors.
“No one is a competitor. Main Street Lorain and Lorain Growth have each been a big help during this time. For customers, we also have these quarantine packs that have the right mix of healthy foods.
“We want to make sure folks eat healthy during this time. A lot of folks are going out to grocery stores where there are a lot of people, or you could just take advantage of our curbside pickup. We’re all in this together.”
“We will deliver to Amherst, Berea or wherever in the area. We don’t only want to be your restaurant, we want to be your partner and your friend. We’re all in this together.” — Mary Fields, owner of Broadway Mary’s and Brew & Stew