KELSEYVILLE— Even though Lake County has confirmed only six total cases of COVID-19, with five of those reported to have recovered, and although no new cases have been reported this week, quarantine is still going on, and so are the social and economic struggles that come with it.
Among many of them, the acquisition of food is a top matter which has become a challenge for some residents. Trips to grocery stores must be fast and only if necessary, the six feet distance between shoppers has to be respected, masks and gloves are essential accessories for some, although not yet mandated by the Health Department. Now, if someone wants a different meal, meaning, eating outside their homes, including socializing with family and friends inside a restaurant, an ordinary event in most people’s lives, they are also deprived of that. Restaurants are only able to survive nowadays thanks to takeout orders. And in Lake County, where delivery services are not a traditional option, more places are starting to make themselves available for delivery, take out and curbside services. Some are going above and beyond.
That’s the case with Lyndall’s Sports Stop Grill, in Kelseyville, which is operating currently with eight active employees of their staff. They’ve been working hard during the shelter in place order, doing takeout and delivery orders to keep their business active and to survive economically, while serving customers. Additionally, they are making a difference in the community by getting involved by providing help that doesn’t just go after profits.
“It’s not about making money right now. It’s about making sure your employers are safe and taken care of. And they have been absolutely incredible with the situation that is going on”, said the owner of the restaurant, Mike Lyndall, who’s been delivering 110 free meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to the nurses and doctors at Sutter Lakeside Hospital, in Lakeport.
“I was watching the news and saw an interview with nurses in San Francisco and they said the food courts were only feeding the patients and they couldn’t get food, working 24 hours shifts,” Lyndall said. “They were really struggling, having a hard time getting essential stuff to be able to work. That kind of hit me funny. After the show, I kept thinking about it.”
He then woke up in the middle of the night with an idea: “Even though we don’t have a lot of cases, our nurses and doctors in our hospitals are having the same stress. So, I said to my employees: ‘we’ll feed the hospital for free’. They looked at me like I was crazy, but after I explained to them why I was going to do it and why it was the right thing to do, a couple of them got worried we would go broke. If we’re gonna go down, we’re gonna do it doing the right thing, helping people – that’s what’s important to me.”
Lyndall estimates between 2,000 to 3,500 meals granted for free to those health workers by the time the quarantine ends. “If this goes for another month, it could be over 5,000 meals.” He concluded, despite all the current difficulties, such as the shortage of fresh produce and meats and napkins and food containers, everybody is constantly wearing gloves and masks to work, following the Health Department guidelines. All equipment is fully sanitized every morning and night, and so is the counter after every customer is assisted.
Chef Marshall Cowens, who has been with Lyndall for almost a year, highlighted the safety measurements the restaurant has been adopting: “We have to play our part to keep everyone safe. We’ve been taking all the proper precautions. We sanitize all our surfaces all the time. It definitely gives me a sense of pride to be able to help out.”
The waitress and wait staff supervisor, Kati Galvani, has been with the team since the restaurant opened, back in 2009. “It is very difficult trying to serve our customers through a tiny window and for brief times. We are very close with most of them and it has been hard not being able to do things like talking, hugging etc. We are adapting though,” she said. “It is truly amazing to see the residents who support our little home town Sports Stop. But, again, that’s the way our community is and hopefully always will be.”
“Mike’s community spirit seems to be contagious in and around the county. Everyone likes to do things for those in need when possible, so Mike gets an idea and starts to talk about it and the next thing you know, it’s happening,” added Galvani. “Also, the employees are working very hard for Mike as their employer. They put themselves at greater risk for illness each time they come to work, while many others – not all – are receiving unemployment benefits that are greater than their regular paychecks were and they aren’t out in the public risking the COVID-19 illness.”
