CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Coronavirus pandemic has effected all walks of life, including the restaurant industry, but here in Cape Coral a few local restaurants say they aren’t letting COVID-19 stop them. Hosting the first annual Take-Out-Weekend, allowing 19 restaurants to practice social distancing, but also serve their customers. John Schroeder with Big Storm Brewing is behind this event and says he wanted to bring everyone together.
“It’s a little bit easier when you can work as a team, instead of as individuals. We’re so used to working as individuals, promoting our own business, but you know we’ve got this little bump in the road right now and I thought it would be better for all of us to come together”, said John Schroeder, General Manager of Big Storm Brewing in Cape Coral.
Inside restaurants were slammed placing call in orders. One customer waiting for his meal outside Sicily Trattoria says it’s important to support the mom and pop businesses right now.
“I think everybody should go out every weekend and get take out from our local restaurants. It’s just great supporting, I like supporting our local business people” said Rick Dean.
19 different restaurants participated in the event, so customers had a wide variety, and Sidecar Treats says they are more than happy to be on that list.
“Everybody wants everybody to succeed during this time because it’s just been really difficult, I’m sure like any other business, our business has declined, about a good 70 %” said, Christine Cohen, owner of Sidecar Treats.
Adding they are sanitizing and social distancing to protect themselves but also their customers.
‘We just delivered to somebody a little while ago, but if they want us to walk out to the car because they don’t want to come in we’re doing that also. We’re also allowing one family at a time because that’s the most enjoyable part of getting ice cream”, said Cohen.
Cohen says not only this weekend but during this pandemic, be sure to keep your favorite food spots open for business.
“And keeping all those mom and pop stores open, is what keep the community vital to everyone else. It’s what keeps the money coming in and we’ll have a booming downtown” said Cohen.
