In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and all that entails (and affects), many small businesses are feeling the burn.
Some have closed temporarily, some have closed permanently, and others are taking a wait-and-see attitude. The restaurant industry is one that has been particularly hard hit as formerly crowded dining rooms are now vacant.
A number of local establishments – as well as many around the city, state and country – are offering carryout, curbside or delivery service to help make food readily available for the public, as well as keep part of their employees on the job and at least some revenue coming in the door.
We caught up with restaurateur Frank Schmitz, owner of Barcelona Tapas Restaurant, a Spanish-style tapas bar on North Central Avenue in Clayton, who said he knew difficult times were coming by just keeping up with the news.
“I had conversations with my team early on, and when it finally came to only being able to do curbside and delivery and not needing much staff, they were prepared, and all went on short-term unemployment benefits,” Schmitz said. “Keeping it honest and personal with my team was key.”
Schmitz, who is originally from Germany, and previously operated a French bistro in Bermuda, has been in the restaurant business since he was 15 years old (young). He said nothing like this has ever happened in either of the countries that he has worked in.
“This is unprecedented, but we really are all dealing with it on a similar level, at least in the hospitality industry, and we will rebound stronger than ever,” he said. “A message I would give to all of our and every other restaurant’s guests out there: Thank you for ordering takeout and keeping us alive. We all appreciate it tremendously!”
As many of his fellow hospitality industry owners can attest to, Schmitz said re-thinking your operations – from a culinary point of view – to go from dine-in to curbside and delivery was difficult.
“This meant to decrease purchases, prep and storing, right away,” he said. “Secondly, marketing that we are open for the community without the funds available was tough. Good thing we have a manager on our team that could do that for us. Our Facebook page and website look great, offering a variety of options for individual and family orders.”
Only time will truly tell for all businesses that are operating in a different-than-normal manner, and those that are not operating at all, what the future will bring.
Meanwhile, the fact is, that any support all of them continue to receive from members of the public who are able to do so, will help make a difference.
Barcelona Tapas Restaurant is located at 34 North Central Ave. in Clayton. It is open for delivery and pickup from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Along with a choice of menu items, special meal deals for four are available for $45, which include choice of Bistro Tenderloin, Grilled Salmon or Grilled Chicken, a salad, protein and garlic bread. The restaurant is offering a 10% discount for all pickup orders that can be placed by calling (314)863-9909. Delivery is available through Grubhub, Uber-Eats, DoorDash and Postmates.
For additional area restaurants offering takeout service, click here.
