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F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S Takeout, delivery or nothing As the coronavirus shutdown continues, Central Mass. restaurants and breweries face dilemmas over staying open and how to reopen dining rooms W hen Alec Lopez and Sherri Sadowski, the husband-and-wife team behind Worcester restaurant Armsby Abbey, sat down in mid-March to decide whether and how to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, they first thought they'd be considering a shutdown of a few weeks. at, of course, hasn't been the case. e initial government-mandated closure of non-essential businesses – including restaurant dining rooms and bars – has been extended, in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus. And the necessity of staying far apart from others has become clear to restaurateurs habits will likely change long aer dine-in eating returns. "ere were a lot of sleepless nights," Lopez said. "We're still not sleeping," Sadowski added. Deciding to stay open was the first step. Armsby Abbey, which over a dozen years has built a reputation for its hard- to-find beer menu, has never had online ordering. It had to create that capability on its website – but still has to print out and re-enter orders in its in-house system because the two aren't connected. It could finally offer beer to go, but had no growlers, so it had to tap into its network of brewery friends to stock up. Before, Sadowski said, "takeout was barely a speck." Now it's the only option. Family-style meal options have been added to the menu, as have cocktail kits giving customers the ability to make margaritas, bloody Mary's and more at home, with everything but the alcohol. Armsby has paired with the Highland Street ice cream shop WooBerry to create cocktail-inspired ice cream. "at was an ability to send Armsby vibes home with people," Lopez said. Sherri Sadowski (top) and Alec Lopez, owners of Armsby Abbey BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor Redemption Rock Brewing Co. in Worcester can no longer serve in its taproom, so it's begun curbside ordering and deliveries. These photos of the brewery's Bronwyn Vogler were taken before retailers were required to wear face protection. 16 Worcester Business Journal | April 27, 2020 | wbjournal.com Worcester's Armsby Abbey has remained open for takeout orders at a table set up at its front door. PHOTOS/MATT WRIGHT PHOTO/GRANT WELKER