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Numerous businesses have doubled down on minimizing contact with customers through the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic: aggressive cleaning, expanding to-go options, and religiously emphasizing the importance of social distancing.
Fort Worth restaurateurs are out of options. They've got to get creative in reaching their customer bases through COVID-19 (coronavirus) precautions and mandates.
Coronavirus has only begun to spread all throughout the US and into North Texas. While many large brands – Apple, Starbucks, Nike – close shops in high-risk areas to reduce disease transmission, smaller and lesser trafficked storefronts remain open through a turbulent business environment.
It's an ache felt by Richard King, who co-owns Ellerbe Fine Foods. The Magnolia Avenue staple over the past decade has built a thriving, expanding business model serving Fort Worth fine, homestyle cuisine.
Now, as the City of Fort Worth has mandated businesses slash their max occupancy in half, everyone in the food and beverage industry operates on an hour-by-hour basis as the news cycle develops at head-spinning pace.
Family-style entrees to-go, to freeze, or available for quick dine-in meals in a hyper-cleaned environment have ensued as restaurants remain open in Fort Worth. While out of the traditional Ellerbe business model, King represents a greater population of entrepreneurs who hope patrons continue to come eat, tip double, and support their local businesses in any way.
"We don’t want our head in the sand. We've got to be proactive and creative to keep income coming, and keep on our employees employed," King says. "We're telling staff it’s going to bleed for a while, but we’re trying to slow the bleeding down."
The pandemic’s hitting home, and local business owners are pleading for the public’s continued support. Fort Worth’s Chef Jon Bonnell, ever a mouthpiece for the city’s burgeoning food scene, took to Facebook on March 14 to voice his concerns in an ominous post.
“Our industry is dying,” Bonnell said. “Every event that we have planned has been cancelled. Sports bars no longer have any sports to offer. College hangouts are now without the colleges they depend on, and nobody has any answers as to when ‘normal’ returns.”
Bonnell says contact with area owners and operators has revealed a shared sales drought and a precarious future. He urges those who feel If you feel safe going out to show continued support of the Fort Worth food scene “before it’s too late.”
Numerous businesses have doubled down on minimizing contact with customers: aggressive cleaning, expanding to-go options, and religiously emphasizing the importance of social distancing.
Camp Bowie District, Inc., in order to combat the bite COVID-19 precautions have taken, has introduced a running list of local dining options, many of which feature deals and expanded to-go and delivery options. “Amid COVID-19, we want to provide you with a list of restaurants on Camp Bowie that are up and running and can get you delicious food, fast without any health concerns,” the nonprofit says.
Similarly, Visit Fort Worth, the city’s marketing arm, is managing a webpage spotlighting Fort Worth restaurants that offer curbside and delivery service, in which more than 90 restaurants are featured.
"This is the best way we know to support restaurants while the community is navigating through uncharted territory,” said Mitch Whitten, executive vice president of marketing and strategy for Visit Fort Worth.
Tarrant County’s hotline established for coronavirus questions and concerns is 817-248-6299.
Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take the following precautions:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Source: Tarrant County Public Health
