LAKE COUNTY — COVID-19 has changed the way restaurants are serving the public with the bulk of them having to change to a delivery or curb side service, often with little time to prepare. Some have had to shutter their doors, while others have had to cut staff down to bare-bones. By order of the Health Department, “Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, can only operate for delivery or carry-out.”
Sabrina Andrus, the sole owner of A & H General Store in Kelseyville at 3925 Main Street said that the transition from in-store to online was a steep learning curve and quite fun. “I enjoy the creative aspect of taking product pictures, creating the website, and the like,” she said, adding that the store is now closed but customers can order online via her website https://aandhgeneralstore.com.
“We are offering a variety of cheeses, meats, pantry items, dry goods, plus specialty foods, which can be found on our website,” Andrus said. “I want to prioritize getting groceries available to people for delivery or curbside pickup.” For Mother’s Day, Andrus anticipates her ‘Care Packages for Mom’ to fly off the shelves.
Marcel’s French Bakery and Cafe has three locations; Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks and curbside Clearlake Oaks. Pascal Hue De Laroque, owner, said, “We have a very strong base of repeat customers who come during the morning, observing the grab and go rules, while I make the coffee. We went from pre-virus, talking and socializing every day, to isolation. Now we’re giving them sanity.”
Betty’s Tacos in Clearlake Oaks has take-out only, according to Fabiola Manasian.
“It’s definitely challenging and a little slower than usual, but I think we’re going to be OK.” Manasian runs the business with her mom, Betty and her dad.
At DJ’s Pizza in Lower Lake, Dave Ferrario said they have call-in and take-out only, including beer. “Our customers can go on Facebook and see our menus, or they can order through an app called Slice, for local pizzerias.” Ferrario said, “We’re keeping afloat. Our business is good right now. People can pay just sitting in their car, while waiting for their order.”
Gaslight Grill in Lakeport on Main Street, has a light crew, said, manager Leya Meo. “We are trying to get the word out that we have take-out, delivery, curbside. We also have groceries, everything that we can find from our suppliers. When customers order food, we can also supply adult beverages. There is so much community support with this, it’s just amazing.” Menus are on Facebook.
Lucerne Euro Market located on Highway 20, between 10th and 11th Avenue, was a popular local hangout for Lucerne residents and travelers before the virus hit. Now they have pick-up, or delivery to the local area. “With the nice weather,” said co-owner Danielle Santopietro, “we’re getting more take-outs.” Partner Joe Jones agreed. “We rely on Highway 20 traffic, as most of our customers are traveling from the Bay Area and Sacramento.”
“The locals,” said Santopietro, “are keeping us alive. It’s amazing how they’ve gotten behind us. I’m just blown away how generous people have been throughout this.” Their menu can also be found on Facebook.
Mike’s, also in Lucerne on Highway 20 and 9th Avenue has order-to-go. Owner Mike Perez said, “The biggest challenge is getting people in here. I’m really thankful for the community here in Lucerne, from all the customers around here. They’re the ones making me strong, coming in day by day, little by little, to get through this mess. I have a customer who comes in seven days a week, since I first started. He’s been very supportive.”
Perez told how everything is a little more expensive, but that he hasn’t raised his prices. He also talked about the restaurant’s efforts to offer a clean and safe environment. “We clean everything constantly. The only thing we’ve changed,” he said, “are the hours, which are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
Main Street Bar & Grill in Clearlake is doing take-out only, said Destiny Sypert. “Our menu is on Facebook and even though we’re not doing as much business as usual, we’re getting by with our skeleton crew.”
Many places said they believe their customers are afraid to get take-out food due to the virus. Each emphasized they are disinfecting more than the recommended once per 30 minutes by the health department, and are doing everything possible to keep their customers and themselves safe.
Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville has a large crew working Tuesday through Sunday. New owner, Weston Seifert, said, “Not in a million years did I expect this (pandemic) to happen right after I bought the restaurant.” He said, “It’s really given us the opportunity to develop take-out, which is what I wanted to do when I took over the restaurant.” They have a tent outside so customers don’t have to go inside.
“We are constantly disinfecting, using masks and gloves. Our take-out menu is a condensed version of things that travel well. We have family style dinners, serving four, each night. We also started mason jar cocktails to go with food plus local pastries from pastry chef Mikee Beale.” Seifert sounded enthusiastic about the changes brought on by shelter in place orders. “Our general manager, Bill Chapman, does a daily drink video for our customers that’s been a lot of fun. It’s on our Facebook page, Saw Shop Public House, along with our menus.”
For being hit with such a disaster as the pandemic, Seifert is keeping a positive attitude, His favorite mantra is, “I can’t control what’s going on around me, but I can control how I react to it. How do we make the best out of it?”
Joe Casteel, President of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Chamber is posting restaurant menus and pictures of meals. We are being a conduit for them (businesses). We gather information, gather reviews and we’re a centralized place for who’s doing what. The restaurants are the heroes. The successful ones are the ones who are adapting, who are thinking outside the box, like the Saw Shop with their family meals. If everyone went out for take-out meals once a week, things would be okay. Keep eating folks,” laughed Casteel. “We’ll worry about losing the weight later.”
