MILWAUKEE — Many restaurants and bars in southeast Wisconsin have already made the switch to carry-out and or delivery as Coronavirus concerns heighten each day.
Monday, Governor Tony Evers ordered a ban on mass gatherings of 50 people or more. Large crowds are a major revenue source for local businesses, but as developments concerning the pandemic come in, owners are taking matters into their own hands to try and protect the public's health.
"We feel like we didn't want to be part of the problem," George Bregar, owner of Company Brewing.
"I think it's the most socially responsible thing to do. The faster this virus can be contained, the faster we can get back to our normal lives and normal business," said Kelsey Kaufmann, owner of the Cactus Club.
Some businesses remained open to foot traffic early Monday, like those restaurants inside of Sherman Phoenix. Still, a member of the ownership team told TMJ4 News, it's seeing a drop in dine-in customers.
"A lot of people are staying home and hunkering down, so we are seeing that piece," said Maanaan Sabir, with the Sherman Phoenix management team.
Sabir said Monday will be the final day customers can dine inside the building during the pandemic.
"We have to adapt and pivot fast," he continued.
Businesses are finding different ways to stay afloat as the uncertainty of this virus seems to be spreading.
"We've already bagged up a lot of food and distributed that to our staff, so that their tables are never empty," said Katie Rose, owner of the Goodkind restaurant in Bay View.
Bregar said Company Brewing will soon start to offer delivery service. He said his team is finding ways to support employees who rely so heavily on tips from patrons.
"We're just trying to think of creative ways right now where we can convert the new types of business that we're doing like delivery and carry-out into income for our staff," Bregar said.
Kaufmann said someone has created a GoFundMe page for her business and said local artists are coming together to create a merchandise line.
"We just have to really really take care of ourselves right now," said Rose.
