Keeping On

Stephanie Thomas drives up and down Camp Bowie Boulevard daily, looking for some hope that life will return to normal. Instead, she's reminded of a scene from one of those end-of-mankind movies, where some Hollywood A-lister is playing someone believed to be the last human on earth fighting for their survival in a world full of uncertainty. There's no one on the streets, a harrowing kind of quiet she wishes would be disrupted by the sound of children playing or a horn honking. Oh, how she'd welcome a traffic jam — the kind that filled her and many others with frustration in times past. Stephanie has the time to do this exploring because Drew's Place, the popular soul food restaurant she and her husband, Drew, started in 1987, is closed due to COVID-19. After years of standing out from so many other establishments, their restaurant is now the same as a lot of other businesses — empty and dark.

Still, Stephanie works hard to remain optimistic. She has to for the many friends who made their restaurant the success it was before the pandemic that enveloped the world.

And while pessimism over ridding the world of the coronavirus sometimes seems as impossible as killing the aforementioned glob of carnivorous goo, she's certain that their restaurant will once again be teeming with those same friends once these dark times have passed.

“I have been blessed with an unbelievable clientele. Not a day goes by that I don't receive calls and text messages on my personal phone asking how we are doing, ‘When are you reopening?’ and the funniest one, ‘Are you considering curbside?’” she said with a laugh. “I don't know how they got my personal number. I guess I must have given it to them at some time, but either way, it's great to know they are there.

“I have no doubt that we — my team included — will survive this, and we feel that our clientele will support us just as they always have in the days to come.” 

Down the road, Panther City BBQ co-owner Chris Magallanes is hoping the same. While they don't have the long history of Drew's Place, having just opened in 2018, his restaurant became very popular in a hurry. He's counting on that popularity to bring back the 60% of business coronavirus has taken away when they can come back in, sit down, and visit once again.

In the meantime, among the adaptations he and his employees had to undergo was a learning curve of going strictly to take-out orders.

“Before all of this, we didn’t take phone orders, only walk-up or email preorder,” he said.

To help compensate for the loss of business, the hours they are open at Panther City have been cut back to focus on prime lunch hours. Also, like many others, Chris made the difficult decision to let some part-time employees go, though he focused on ones who had other sources of income so as to lessen the blow. Others who stayed had their hours reduced.

His encouragement to those employees? “Stay the course as long as you feel comfortable doing so. We are in this together, and we will do all we can to keep you working,” he said.

“I am doing my best to encourage my employees that we will come back as soon as foot traffic starts back,” Stephanie said. 

THERE IS HELP

The federal government and the City of Fort Worth have created ways for businesses such as Drew's Place and Panther City to receive help. At the time of this article, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said the city was working on a small business fund. However, there are a number of other resources available that she said can be accessed outside of the Small Business Assistance (SBA) disaster relief funds. Many of these loan programs can be accessed through the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center. For example, loan amounts can range from $14,000 up to $5 million.

Stephanie, Chris, and countless others have reached out for help. Still, the question is: Will those funds outlast the coronavirus?

“I am in the process of figuring out if and how long I can pay my longtime employees,” Stephanie said. “We are accustomed to paying them when we are closed, but it is based on a replenishing of a ‘time-off slush fund.’ That fund was depleted for holiday payments, and it usually takes about five months to replenish for summer time off.”

The coronavirus didn't wait until summer. By mid-March, she, Drew, and their employees decided to shut the doors. Unlike some other restaurants, they opted not to have takeout or delivery because Stephanie said the safety of their employees was and remains first and foremost.

“When I talked to the employees, one was very afraid, just the unknown,” she said. “And I understand that. If I can give us some peace of mind by staying home, that's what we'll do.

“Drew and I both have elderly parents. We're both having to look in on them. It's just better this way.”

The initial thinking was they would be closed a couple of weeks, not that big of a deal, considering they regularly closed for lengthy periods during the holiday season. But a couple of weeks became a month, a month became two, and so on.

“I was always under the impression that my business insurance would cover any type of disasters under ‘loss of business income,’” Stephanie said, noting that she, like many more, learned the hard way that their insurance doesn't include coverage against a devastating virus.

“With the restaurant being our only source of income, help must come from somewhere,” she said.

“As a former small-business owner myself, I can only imagine how difficult this is,” Price said. “While the Stay Home – Work Safe order was a difficult decision, the sooner that we can flatten the curve and reduce the spread of the virus, the sooner we can get these businesses back open to the public. 

“I want to assure our small businesses that the economic recovery will be my sole focus when this pandemic is behind us. And the good news is — Fort Worth is known as a community that comes together.”

CHANGES AHEAD

District 3 Fort Worth City Councilman Dr. Brian Byrd said that while he believes recovery will come, he noted most economic experts are calling for a time of up to two years. As a result, he said old ways of doing business and conducting life in general will not be the same for a while — if ever again.

“How long will we greet with an elbow touch versus a handshake, for instance? Some companies may find doing business in China too risky from a business interruption standpoint and move elsewhere in Asia,” Byrd said. “More meetings and events may exist via telecom. Fundraisers may move to a virtual format.”

He does believe once folks are allowed to go out with regularity again, a large boon awaits businesses such as Drew's Place, Panther City, and others.

“Once the sheltering requirement is lifted, I predict we will see a spending surge on everything from eating out to air travel to sports entertainment,” Byrd said.

In the meantime, he said, “The Byrd family is doing takeout at least once a day, and via social media, I am encouraging folks to do the same.”

Byrd also noted that the City of Burleson instituted a new website that allows citizens to purchase gift cards from local businesses, and in just a few days, over 4,000 residents participated. At the time of this article, he said he was working to get something similar started in Fort Worth.

“We are encouraging our residents to support small businesses however they can,” Price said. “We are ordering dinner from local restaurants, buying gift cards for future use, and sharing resources through our social media platforms. Everything, no matter how big or small, helps right now.”

Price also encouraged small businesses to look into the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program, which is part of the CARES Act passed by the federal government. It provides economic relief to individuals and businesses. She also stressed Facebook's Small Business Grants Program for assistance.

The City of Fort Worth has also started the new Small Business and Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, which is comprised of partner organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, business leaders, financing institutions, and workforce development organizations. 

“The focus is to compile and share all opportunities that relate to business assistance in this rapidly changing environment to ensure that the community is aware of what options and resources are available to them as they work to weather this pandemic,” Price said. “The group will also be providing recommendations to the Economic Development Department for new initiatives to support economic relief and recovery.”

EFFECT ON NONPROFIT RESTAURANT 

Taste Community Restaurant operates differently than others. When dining there, folks pay what they think is a fair price or whatever they can spare. 

The restaurant is part of the Taste Project, a nonprofit that, as their website states, was established simply to feed people one community at a time. They cite a statistic that one of every six Americans faces the reality that they may not be able to provide for their next meal. In Tarrant County, they note that 36% of this food-insecure population lives in limbo above the poverty level, too much income to qualify for government help but not enough income to guarantee a steady food supply. 

That is where they come in, and though the coronavirus has made their task more challenging, they are also doing what they can with a takeout menu.

“Community is an important part of who we are, and connecting with people over food is what we do. However, this is not what our community needs right now,” Taste spokesperson and co-owner Julie Williams (with husband Jeff) said. 

Julie said that unfortunately the Taste Project, which opened Taste Community Restaurant in 2017, didn't have funding set aside for pandemics and temporary closures. 

“We are leaning into our individual donors and loyal diners during this time,” she said.

She said up to 75% of their funding comes from Taste Community Restaurant, and with no dine-in service, the hit has been hard. 

“Our existing donors are giving online, and we are encouraging our loyal diners to purchase meal tokens from our website,” she said.

Taste Community Restaurant traditionally operates with 80% volunteer staff, which does help in an area most other businesses can't claim.

“Volunteers are an important part of our organization, and our community needs them to be healthy,” she said.

Julie, too, sees a big rebound once the coronavirus has been mastered.

“We anticipate there will be a huge need for our resources, and we need all of our volunteers to be ready. This means we need them to heed the mandates and recommendations of the Tarrant County Public Health Department and the City of Fort Worth for social distancing for now,” she said.

“Our employees will be working to help ensure individuals and families who depend on us for healthy and nutritious food still have access to food during this time.”

SOME FORESIGHT

While she's not claiming she forecast the pandemic that hit the world, Stephanie said she did feel an impending sense of danger coming to our country, unlike anything it's experienced in over a century.

“Upon learning that the virus had spread to the U.S., I was prepared for some type of quarantine/cooling-off period as the cruise ship scenario began to unfold,” she said. “But I never imagined that it would escalate to the level where it is now and for the unforeseeable future. I never could have imagined having to develop a new normal.”

Despite whatever changes brought about by coronavirus, Stephanie said with a small business such as theirs, “It's personal.” And they are counting on that to help resuscitate the business when all is clear.

“Is the food good? Yeah, but you support the people,” she said. “The most rewarding part of all of this is the fact that I have customers inside of the community and outside of the community that have supported us for the entire 33 years [26 years at the current location] that we have been in business.”

Stephanie said she feels a special favor when, for example, one of her retired customers and his wife, who now live outside of Austin, make the trek to Fort Worth just to eat at Drew's Place. In fact, those same folks called her recently to check on her and Drew, with a promise that they would be returning as soon as things get better.

“They are high risk due to underlying conditions. That means a lot to us, and it is encouragement to keep pressing on,” Stephanie said. “We assure them that we will be there whenever they can get here.”

FOOD FROM OTHER SOURCES

While many restaurants are continuing to offer takeout, many people cannot even afford that. And with many jobs being lost by the hour, some are stepping up to help, such as Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor William Timothy Glynn and a host of volunteers have joined forces with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to provide food to as many as 700 folks in the church parking lot, among other sites — enforcing social distancing, of course, as the cars drive up and the food is brought out to them and placed in the trunk.

“It's amazing to see people volunteer to unload those trucks,” he said. “You have to look for a ray of sunshine, even in a storm.”

Glynn is also part of a group that works to provide food to the homeless population in the city.

“We can't forget about them. Remember the story of the good Samaritan,” he said. “Sometimes a minister has to aim for the ditch.”

District 5 Fort Worth Councilwoman Gyna Bivens is a member of Mount Olive. She had praise for her fellow members, saying they set an example she's glad to see others are following.

“The church stepped up, and we're seeing a lot of people do the same,” she said.

Bivens added that it's important to make sure our neighbors who do have a residence are able to keep it and that elderly people have access to things they need. Yes, the rent will have to be paid sometime, she said, but she is calling upon landlords to do all they can to work with their tenants.

And she never wants to see a scene like she saw at a local store one morning.

“People started lining up at 8:20 (the store opened at 9 a.m.). Two senior citizens walked up, and one had a cane. The way they were chastised and told to go to the end of the line — in the rain — it was disheartening,” she said. “This is a time when we need to care as much as we possibly can.”

GETTING CREATIVE

City of Fort Worth Economic Development Director Robert Sturns said creativity could be a key in businesses — particularly small ones — surviving the coronavirus pandemic. In a recent survey by his department, almost half of the responding businesses reported a decrease in revenue by at least 60%. Also, 57% did not have a remote/teleworking policy in place, and 58% did not have company leave policies containing guidance for these types of situations.

“I have seen business owners become very resourceful in shifting to more of an online presence or retooling their manufacturing processes to assist in the relief efforts,” Sturns said.

He added that pivoting operations to get through these trying times, working to keep some level of revenue flowing in while decreasing costs, is critical in moving forward. He also said businesses should also keep informed of all the resources to assist from both a financial and technical aspect, such as the city’s webpage for business, fortworthtexas.gov/COVID-19-business.

And he said businesses should call on each other.  

“Lean on other business owners for advice on how they are responding to the pandemic. And don’t be afraid to ask for things like rent concessions, as many landlords are looking into this individually,” he said.

In addition, Sturns said it can't hurt to reach out to your bank to see if they are offering specific funding programs.

“Many institutions are setting up programs for their existing banking clients,” he said.

District 4 Fort Worth Councilman Cary Moon said another option to help businesses is a potential cut in the city budget.

“City governments impact businesses with local fiscal policy, unlike the federal government, which also impacts businesses with monetary policy. For Fort Worth businesses, the best relief/aid the city can offer small businesses through fiscal policy is to reduce taxes,” Moon said. “Every tax dollar that we save today is a tax dollar that we do not have to collect tomorrow.”

Moon also said the post COVID-19 economy provides opportunity for Fort Worth businesses, small and big, if handled properly now.

“Manufacturing, distribution, and sanitation are examples of industries with economic opportunity,” he said. “Further, restrictions on commerce between geographical areas will afford small business growth at the micro level.”

SAME WORSHIP, DIFFERENT FORM

There is life on the other side of the coronavirus. Just ask the Reverend Dr. Robert Pace of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Pace was the first person in the Fort Worth area to be infected with the coronavirus. And while he recovered, he admits his life may never be the same again.

“In general, I am having to be more intentional in my daily routine. I can’t take for granted even the breath of life,” he said. “This virus is hard on the lungs and on stamina. But it has also made me slow down and appreciate more of the gifts of life. 

“I think that’s also what people are learning, whether they have the virus or not.”

However, like businesses and restaurants, churches often have large gatherings of people, and that has required some adjusting, thanks to coronavirus. As has been the case with most churches now, services have gone largely online for Trinity Episcopal. The main thing, Pace said, is people are still worshiping.

“This is so important so that we might keep this virus from spreading. But it’s also essential because we believe that corporate worship is important,” he said. “Of course, God is with us always, no matter where we are. But worshiping together strengthens our bonds, builds our sense of community, and renews our faith and commitment to be God’s loving presence in this world. That’s why we still gather, even though it’s online.”

Pace said parishioners are being creative by using technology to continue Bible studies and other group gatherings, including daily online prayer groups.

Glynn said Mount Olive has made a concerted effort to offer its broadcast services to members of other churches that don't have the technology to put their services online. He stressed that they still belong to their respective churches, but if they cannot attend or worship together there, they are welcome to join the Mount Olive livestream.

“Someone asked me if I thought God is trying to tell us something. I said not try, he is telling us something,” Glynn said.

Pace said that while he believes people will be able to again gather in their church buildings someday, worship services have been changed forever. But he also thinks it is for the better.

“Before this pandemic, we were not nearly as adept at using technology to remain connected as we are suddenly finding ourselves doing. I can’t imagine that will stop once this crisis ends,” he said. “The message of this has clearly been that the people are the church, and we will continue to use all of these means to connect and reach out to the people, even when we can come back together for our more traditional forms of worship in our building.”

Glynn offered a reminder that “the church started in our homes. Maybe this is the Lord's way of putting it back in our homes.

“Here's the one thing we forget in public worship, the only spectator should be God. And now that we're back home, the only spectator is God.”

BELIEF IN BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE

“History shows us that society in the long run will win versus a pandemic,” Moon said. “Our COVID-19 experience will be with us for a lifetime in our employee experiences, customer experiences, and even how we congregate.”

Bivens said that now that dealing with the shock of such a pandemic hitting America is past, we can focus on returning to the America that works together.

“If you think about it, after 9/11 we had the same type of love fest. The type of camaraderie we have now reminds me of that, but it's underlined with a fear we've never known before,” she said. “It's the unknown that makes it scary, and we have to be there for each other, to let each other know we care more than ever.

“I think we, as Americans, have been insulated while we saw things like this happen in China, Japan, Africa. We were thinking it can't happen to us. Well, here we are.”

Price expressed gratitude for the citizens of her city for joining forces in the fight against the unseen enemy. While the future remains uncertain, she said it was heartwarming to see Fort Worth come together and support each other in “true Cowtown fashion.”

“From livestreaming a concert to supporting our local artists and musicians to our distillers manufacturing hand sanitizer, I could not be prouder of how Fort Worth united in response to this unprecedented crisis,” she said. “It is moments such as these during our most trying times that assure me, we will get through this together and come out stronger as a community.”

And, as someone who has gone through the danger and survived having the virus that has taken so many lives, Pace said the best way to show love is by keeping our distance.

“In this unprecedented time of pandemic, our greatest hope is to show that love by staying in, physically isolating, minimizing opportunities for the virus to spread,” he said. “And at the same time, use technology to remain connected with our neighbors. We are surrounded by God’s grace in this time of uncertainty. It’s through our connection and support of each other that our society will make it to the other side.”

Meanwhile, Stephanie remains hopeful that the legend of Drew's Place will continue. But she admits being thankful for time that she did not previously have, time to reflect on the most important things in life, time to do things she might not have gotten around to, and time to create memories for when she looks back.

“My advice to others would be to keep busy, get rest, or do something that you have always dreamed of doing. Use this time wisely, don't spend time speculating about what will be,” she said. “Make a plan that you can live with today and let each day work itself out.  This is a day-by-day process. And spend just a small part of your day doing something you can enjoy.

“When this is finally over, I want to be able to look back over these weeks or months and see what I did with all that time.”

And, since we have all been given a somber reminder that we never know what the future holds, she advises, “Let part of your planning include how not to be caught financially unprepared.”

For now, she reminds herself daily of one of the most famous quotes in history, said to have been stated from King Solomon to Abraham Lincoln. Now, perhaps more than ever, it contains more optimism and hope than ever.

“This, too, shall pass.”