Taco Hut in Jamestown temporarily closed it doors during the coronavirus outbreak after briefly offering takeout options. “It is hard because that is our livelihood. We have owned the Taco Hut for 48 years,” owner Kim Mason said. P-J photo by Jay Young

Local restaurant owners have been forced to make difficult decisions in response to the coronavirus, with some choosing to close their doors entirely in recent weeks. Both The Pub on North Main Street and Taco Hut on East Third Street in Jamestown have temporarily closed their doors after offering takeout options for diners previously.

“It is hard because that is our livelihood. We have owned the Taco Hut for 48 years,” Kim Mason said. “The safety for everyone is the most important thing right now. That is it, that is the bottom line. How bad would we feel if someone got sick, you know? Even one person would make us feel really bad.”

Mason estimated that the shutdown had caused a reduction in over 75% of the restaurant’s business, forcing staff cutbacks prior to closing.

“We really took a big hit. I want to say it is close to two weeks we have been closed,” she added.

The Pub co-owner Mary McCusker made the decision to close her doors last week, citing concerns for the families of workers.

Mike Hallenbeck, left, and Mitch Hovey, right, have continued to serve Ashville General Store customers during the coronavirus shutdown. Submitted photo

“We just could not worry about it any longer so we said that’s it, we’re closing,” McCusker said. “We told all our customers on Monday a week ago that we were closing. They understood. Everybody has been great, our customers have been unbelievable. It would have been fine if we didn’t have to worry. It’s not worth taking the chance.”

Not knowing what customers would be interacting with her staff, McCusker believed it was best to stay on the safe side.

“Worrying about it and worrying about the other kids, children, you never know who is going to walk in the door,” she said.

For businesses that have kept their doors open for takeout orders, the continued support from local customers has been crucial.

“I just can’t believe the amount of support that has poured out for us,” said Michelle Koresko of Jeremy’s Belview on Foote Avenue. “I just can’t put it into words how thankful I am to still have a job and be able to support other people.”

Koresko said that the restaurant is still busy filling dinner orders, but has had to reduce staff like many others.

“Our dinners have been amazing. Everyone around here has been super supportive,” she said. “It is sad to see your regulars come in and not be able to joke around with them and kid with them. But at the same time they are coming in, they are supporting us. We see them a couple of times a week. It’s awesome to be able to have a little communication with them.”

The impact has been felt differently for restaurants depending on their business model. While sit-down establishments have been hit the hardest, restaurants focused on takeout and delivery are in a better spot.

“We’ve been more busy now,” said Pizza Express manager Karri Wetzstein. “It’s been pretty much the same (day-to-day), because we are doing takeout and delivery. But we are shutting down an hour early.”

The Ashville General Store has also been able to keep its doors open for takeout orders of pizza, sandwiches, salads and more.

“We have been open, we had to change our hours a little bit but we are open and we are thankful for that,” Jackie Francis said. “We have been busy at night, our daytime sales and foot traffic is a lot slower. But the night is great, and of course we have had fantastic customers and thankfully a lot of them are coming in to support the businesses that are open.”

Francis said that several area manufacturers have gone out of their way to place large orders at the restaurant, but was still concerned about the businesses that have either been forced or chosen to close their doors entirely.

“My question is, what are we going to do for the businesses who have not been able to stay open,” she said. “The amount of inventory that some of the restaurants have lost (is large). It is difficult to have a small business as it is, because every sale pays for what it is that you are purchasing.”

Francis noted the small margins that many restaurants operate on, and the devastating impact of a months long shutdown.

One silver lining for restaurant owners has been customer support and relationships in the face of unprecedented change.

“One thing I have to say, my husband and I have talked about it, Jamestown comes together,” Mason said. “It is just wonderful how they come together. I am so impressed and so proud. Everybody comes together when help is needed and they do it, they come through.”

Francis spoke of a similar relationship with her customers.

“I am really proud and thankful for the relationship we have with our customers. They are loyal, they are thankful, we are grateful. We have had customers give us extra money to give to the staff,” she said.