Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 4:07 PM EDT Mar 16, 2020
On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers banned gatherings of more than 50 people or “50 percent of capacity, whichever is less” starting at midnight tonight because of the coronavirus outbreak.
That means bars and restaurants have to limit the number of customers they allow in their doors on one of the busiest days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day.
Exemptions from the 50-person limit include grocery stores, food pantries, childcare centers, pharmacies and hospitals.
In addition, the City of Appleton declared a State of Emergency on Monday because of the coronavirus, but stopped short of forcing restaurants and bars to shut down.
“No changes to business operations or bars/restaurants at this point,” said city spokesman Chad Dorn late Monday morning.
What this means for restaurants is that many can be open with limited capacity for dine-in customers.
They’ll have to be ready to serve a lot of carry-out food.
The rapidly changing coronavirus outbreak can change at a moment’s notice, so call restaurants directly to verify orders.
The information below is accurate as of Monday afternoon.
Mark’s East Side
The restaurant will be open, but according to the statewide mandate, can only allow 50 people inside.
On a normal St. Patrick’s Day, it serves 300 at lunchtime and 500 for dinner. The bar is always packed.
“I’m sick about it,” said co-owner Mark Dougherty, who counts this as his busiest day of the year.
“I have two bands. I have to cancel those today,” he said. “What about all of the employees with their hours?”
He said a call to his insurance company didn’t clarify anything. “They didn’t tell me if I have coverage for loss of business.”
Mark’s East Side will be open, but he’s concerned about how to manage the 50-person limit.
“We want to do the right thing and be responsible. But how does one go about monitoring? Do we try to serve food and shut the bar down?”
The restaurant has a new curb-side pickup program that may be the way it gets 2,000 pounds of corned beef to its customers. They can pick it up or have the staff run it to the cars. Call-in orders can be placed by credit card over the phone (920-733-3600) or called in and paid by cash or check at the designated pickup stalls in front of the restaurant.
Spats
Spats in Appleton added a carry-out option and will still have limited inside dining.
“We’ll be open unless there’s a citywide shut down,” said co-owner Bill Neubert. “We’re like every other restaurant doing special cleaning. We’re wiping down the doorknobs, salt and pepper shakers, ketchup bottles and tables after every customer.”
Customers can call in to-go orders (920-738-7171 or 920-475-7733) and food will be run out to their waiting cars at the side door in the alley, on the east side, between Spats and Dong Po. The menu is online.
“We’re not doing delivery. It’s too late to do that,” said Neubert.
McGuiness Irish Pub
Owner Matt Miller cancelled his outdoor tent party, but will keep the pub open for food and drinks starting at 6 a.m. with an Irish breakfast.
“We have seating for less than 50, so that should be okay,” said Miller.
The bar is normally jam-packed for St. Patrick’s Day, which Miller knows can’t happen now with the 50-person limit. They’ll monitor the number of people going in and out.
Customers can also order take-out at 920-830-7616 or on his cell 920-573-0959. “They can come in and pick it up or call us and let us know they’re outside and we’ll bring it out.”
New London/New Dublin cancellations
New London canceled its slate of events for St. Patrick’s Day, including its parade on Saturday. Call individual restaurants for serving plans.
More: The Buzz: Paper Valley cancels Easter brunch, sees cancellations in hotel
Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or mwallenfang@postcrescent.com. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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