BY CAMI KOONS
Eudora restaurants rely on each and every order to get by and Gene’s Heartland Foods still battles to keep its aisles stocked, but owners say the people of Eudora are still supporting their local businesses amid the coronavirus changes.
About a month ago Eudora businesses were feeling the first impacts of social distancing regulations due to the coronavirus. Restaurants still allowed customers to dine in and the grocery store couldn’t keep toilet paper on its shelves.
Since then, Douglas County and the state of Kansas issued stay-at-home orders, which caused nonessential businesses to close their doors and restaurants their dining rooms.
Travis Turner, the owner of D-Dubs Bar and Grill, said they have been surviving, or at least trying their best to. The restaurant now only serves to-go orders during reduced hours from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Turner had to temporarily lay off some of his staff to keep the business running. He said he splits any tips patrons leave between the staff who's laid off. Turner said they appreciate every to-go order people place.
“We’re still open and we appreciate it,” Turner said. “Every little bit helps. One order or 20 orders, they all add up at the end of the day.”
Tuner said in addition to support from his customers, some of his product distributors have bought back some of his stock to help out on lost revenue. He said O’Malley Beverage has been the best at helping out.
At Gene’s Heartland Foods, assistant manager Michelle Martin said business continues to be crazy. She said it’s been difficult to stock the shelves with items like disinfectant spray or cleaning wipes. She said they were just recently able to restock bleach.
Among cleaning product shortages, Martin said the store is still selling out of toilet paper daily.
Martin said two of the cash registers have Plexiglas installed to create a barrier between customers and employees. She said she and several other employees wear face masks at all times, and employees now stock the store at night, rather than during the day, to limit contact.
Generally, people have done a decent job at abiding by the social distancing suggestions, Martin said. She said she sees a lot of people wearing masks and changing their course to walk down a different aisle to avoid others. Martin also said it seems like the community is shopping locally out of necessity or just to support the businesses.
“I’ve seen a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time,” Martin said. “I think people are shopping in town more.”
Martin also said she has filled more delivery orders than ever before. Delivery orders can be placed by calling the store.
Goldana Shrum, the manager at Dairy Queen, said most of her employees wear masks made by one of their regular customers. She said they also wear gloves at all times and their dining room is temporarily closed.
Shrum said Dairy Queen just launched a mobile app allowing customers to order and pay online and then pick their orders up at the store. This was already in the works before social distancing orders were in place, and she said it has helped to limit social contact.
She said generally, customers have been appreciative the business is open.
“Several truck drivers have walked up to the window and literally thanked us for staying open,” Shrum said.
For Jay Musick, co-owner of Barbwire Barbecue food truck, business has been booming. Musick said nothing has really changed on their end because the restaurant is carryout by design. He said the truck has been set up every weekend in the gravel parking lot across from the Eudora Community Library.
Recently, they set up a lane system to limit contact. One lane is for pre-ordered meats, which can be placed through their Facebook page, and the other lane separates the drive-up orders. He said cars are lined up in order and then one at a time customers can come up to the window and place their orders, which will then be brought out to their car.
“We’re doing all we can to not cause a contact issue,” Musick said.
He said customers seem appreciative of his business in a time where many families are now having to make three meals a day at home. He said just knowing dinner can be taken care of by someone else one day a week helps with that stress, and it’s been exciting to see new customers come to the truck.
“Especially with lockdown, it’s kind of neat to see older people come out and get food from a food trailer, which isn’t normally conventional for them,” Musick said.
Musick said Barbwire Barbecue also started a tip jar, which they match and then donate to the Eudora Food Pantry. He said he’s seen several other businesses in town acting similarly.
“It seems like a lot of businesses are stepping up to help out, which is cool to see,” Musick said.
Much like Musick’s barbecue business, EJ Ellis, the owner of Main St. Wines and Spirits, said business is pretty much the same.
The liquor store has shortened its hours, but Ellis said her store’s revenue is normal. Main St. Wines and Spirits is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Twill Trade Boutique closed its doors a month ago. Owner Elizabeth Knispel said her store normally receives about 10% of business from online sales, but recently it has been significantly lower. Knispel remains optimistic though her sales are low.
“It’s okay, it’s just part of what we’re all dealing with right now,” Knispel said.
Knispel said she doesn’t put bras up for sale on the website, and since she had a large stock that can’t be sold with the store closed right now, she got crafty. Knispel said she made about 40 masks out of the bras and has given them away to her friends and family. She also posted a tutorial on the Twill Trade Facebook page.
Knispel said she thinks people are generally scared about spending money and the future, but believes everyone is going through the struggles together.
“It’s so hard for us to stay home and not be around other people, but the quicker we get over that, the quicker we can get over this,” Knispel said.
Cara Austin at Lulu’s Bakery at 1004 Locust St. said she is working on an online ordering system to help ease the process of transitioning a curbside and delivery business. She hopes to have it launched this Saturday.
The bakery is open during the week for made-to-order treats and on Saturdays for Lulu’s regular baked goods as supplies last. Orders can be picked up curbside or delivered. Austin said the community has been very supportive and she is thankful to live in a town that supports her.
“I’m just fortunate that we live in such a small, supportive town,” Austin said.
Other businesses in town:
Jasmin Restaurant celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this week, though the Mexican and Chinese restaurant is closed during this time. It plans to reopen April 23.
Charritos Plaza at 202 E. 10th St. is open during regular business hours for carryout orders.
Torched Goodness at 826 Main St. is offering curbside pick-up on Wednesdays.
Zeb’s Coffeehouse continues its curbside pick-ups and is open 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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