Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 2:16 PM EDT Mar 17, 2020
This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Post-Crescent.
Restaurants are scrambling to comply with current state restrictions regarding the coronavirus, and are having to make difficult decisions and staff cuts.
Some are closing temporarily.
Current state guidelines allow restaurants to be open as long as they don’t have more than 50 people inside at a time or exceed 50 percent of their capacity, whichever is the lower number. Tables and bar stools have to be spaced far apart to maintain social distancing.
The three StoneYard locations, for example, are still serving inside according to guidelines. They’ve also started free delivery and curb-side pick-up, said co-owner Joe Kohlbeck.
“We continue to clean, clean and clean some more,” said Kohlbeck. “We must keep our locations safe for customers and our employees. This will be our ‘business as usual’ for now. Who knows what will happen tomorrow.”
He said he’s concerned that the current drop-off in sales will become more severe.
“We’ve had to make adjustments with staff. That’s the hard part,” he said.
Parker John’s owners Aaron and Jennifer Sloma wrote a note to customers explaining their decision to remain open.
“While some may not support our decision to stay open, others may embrace it. The restaurant business is one where people go to disconnect from the daily grind, the outside noise and to reconnect with friends and loved ones,” they wrote.
A few restaurants have simply closed down for the foreseeable future to wait out the coronavirus outbreak.
Others closed their inside dining rooms, but are offering take-out, delivery or drive-thru service.
Wisconsin had not followed the lead of states like New York and Illinois, which shut down all restaurants, as of Tuesday noon.
The situation changes day-to-day, and sometimes hour-by-hour.
As of noon Tuesday noon, here’s the status of some Fox Cities restaurants.
If other restaurants email with their plans, this list will be updated.
Call before going to a restaurant to verify that its status hasn’t changed. For places not listed here, please call the restaurant directly or check its website or Facebook page.
Open
Some in this category also offer carry-out and delivery.
Appleton: Mark’s East Side, McGuinness Irish Pub, Rye (plus has family sized carry-out meals), Scuba’s Pourhouse, Spats, Wilder’s Bistro
Grand Chute: Osorio’s Latin Fusion
Greenville: Leo’s Diner, The Shop Bar & Grille
Hortonville: Charlie’s Drive-In (starting Wednesday)
Menasha: Parker John’s
Multiple locations: The StoneYard
Temporarily closed
Appleton: Antojitos Mexicanos, Fress Restaurant and Bar
Grand Chute: Carmella’s, Sap Brunch, Brown Bag and Bakery. In addition to restaurants, Penzey’s is closed but continues online spice orders
Combined Locks: Lox Club
Menasha: Mihm’s Charcoal Grill
Neenah: Town Council Kitchen and Bar
Take-out/curbside pick-up/delivery/drive-thru only
Appleton: Author’s Kitchen + Bar, Houdini’s Escape Gastropub
Grand Chute: Chick- fil-A, Panda Express,
Greenville: Field & Fire (carry-out includes family size meals)
Menasha: The Old Grog
Multiple locations: McDonald’s
Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
More: Fox River Mall reduces hours, some stores close due to coronavirus outbreak
More: The Buzz: How restaurants will handle St. Patrick’s Day
Let’s block ads! (Why?)
