Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | April 27, 2020 | wbjournal.com Peppercorn's Grille & Tavern in Worcester has a menu more suited to takeout orders, so it has stayed open. So, too, has Prezo Grille & Bar, its sibling restaurant in Milford. Not so for Oliveri's other restaurant, Civic Kitchen & Drink in Westborough. "If you're geared for takeout and delivery, it's a lot easier," said Oliveri, who estimated business at about 40% of normal. "It's allowing me to keep some people employed and paying the utility bills." Oliveri isn't the only one to discard a one-size-fits-all approach. Worcester's Funky Murphy's has closed for now, while sibling city restaurants Scruffy Murphy's & Quinns Irish Pub have remained open for takeout. Volturno Pizza Napoletana temporarily closed in Framingham but has kept the Worcester one open. Niche Hospitality Group initially kept open its two Fix Burger Bar locations open, the Worcester location of Mezcal Tequila Cantina, Steam Energy Cafe, Bocado Tapas Bar and Rye & yme American Tavern. It initially closed just two locations: the Worcester bar Still & Stir and the Leominster location of Mezcal. But on April 10, the company said it would close all locations for now to better protect employees and customers. "ere's no social distancing at a restaurant," Niche President Michael Covino. "You're working side-by-side. You can't do it." Covino wanted to keep the Niche restaurants open for what he called Call WBJ Custom Corporate Project Director Christine Juetten at 508-755-8004 ext. 270. Worcester Business Journal WBJ Custom Publishing Division A MAJOR ANNIVERSARY... A NEW BUILDING... A MAJOR COMPANY MILESTONE Can we create a CUSTOM magazine for you? Whether it's the celebration of a major anniversary or the opening of a new headquarters, Worcester Business Journal's Custom Publishing Division can help you create a custom magazine for your business. Our division's top flight team of writers and designers can help you tell your story – and make your business look great! Based on our unique publishing model, it's surprisingly affordable. Making a Difference for 150 Years An advertising supplement to the Worcester Business Journal An advertising supplement to the Worcester Business Journal 25 Years in Service to the Community www.notredamehealthcare.org one than one rooted in emotion. "For my husband and I, this is truly a family business, and the people who work with us are truly part of the family," Koci said. "When this happened, we wanted to stay open for F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S our staff first." Staying open doesn't bring in enough revenue to pay the bills, she said, but does come with a satisfaction of continuing to provide some jobs and serving meals to the public. Tom Oliveri gauged his ability to stay open depending on his restaurant. seamless operations, continuing to serve the area through the pandemic. "In the end," he said, "it was too challenging for us to do that." Other restaurants have decided to close entirely for the time being. at list includes Worcester's deadhorse hill, O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar, the restaurant chain 110 Grill, which has eight Central Massachusetts locations, and Flying Rhino of Worcester, which has used the time off to make renovations. Niche is also planning minor renovations, as is BirchTree Bread Co. of Worcester, which remained open until April 13 and is planning a reopening aer a few weeks of what is expected to be the outbreak's peak. "With 75% of our team at home, we are running the show with a bare bones crew and wanted to make sure all of us rested and recharged for another span of service come the end of this month," said Avra Hoffman, who co-owns the cafe with her husband, Rob Fecteau. Communal gathering becomes impossible e coronavirus pandemic hit at an unlucky time for the Worcester Public Market, which opened in February with a mix of different food vendors on Kelley Square. Breweries relying in large part on taprooms with communal tables and relaxed gathering places have mostly remained open while limiting sales for curbside pick-up or even delivery. At Worcester's Redemption Rock Brewing Co., CEO Dani Babineau quickly decided to stay open with online orders workers bring out to customers' cars. "From there, it was trying to figure out the best way to maximize our ability to make revenue while also giving the customers a good experience and keeping people safe," Babineau said. Eventually that meant offering delivery. A brewery employee maps out the most efficient route each day, but that's not the only challenge. Not everyone wants to open their door for a face-to-face interaction to show their ID, so people have resorted to showing a license through a window or passing it through a mail slot. Closing wasn't a realistic option, Babineau said. February had just been the best month yet for the brewery, which opened in January 2019. "We don't have the cash reserve to just Continued from Page 17 Avra Hoffman, co-owner of BirchTree Bread Co. Dani Babineau, CEO of Redemption Rock Brewing Co. Sole Proprietor in Worcester has closed, for the time being, along with sibling restaurants 111 Chop House and Via Italian Table.

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