Restaurants adapt to coronavirus restrictions

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Angelo Teti, owner of Tillie’s Restaurant in Mc-Keesport’s Christy Park neighborhood, is feeling “nervous” and “concerned” about sales and his employees’ livelihood.

All restaurants and bars in the state began operating Tuesday under a mandate from Gov. Tom Wolf that requires them to close their dine-in facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Wolf’s order, issued Monday, states that businesses offering carry-out, delivery and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but that they should employ social distancing practices and be aware of the Trump administration’s guidance to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.

In Allegheny County, one of the 15 Pennsylvania counties where COVID-19 diagnoses have been confirmed, pizzerias, donut shops, bakeries, restaurants and fast-food chains have been adapting to the order.

Teti said Tillie’s is offering a limited menu and curbside pick-up. Orders can also be picked up at the take-out counter.

He said Tillie’s is “running on a minimal staff,” and for the time being, the restaurant will be open from noon to 7 p.m. each day.

“I’m thinking of cutting the hours even further,” Teti said.

He has a staff of 35 people and normally has 15 to 20 scheduled each day. On Tuesday, only five of his employees were working.

“I normally have four or five cooks in the kitchen,” Teti said. “Today I have two and all of the servers with the exception of one of the girls working the take-out counter are off.

“I feel bad for the employees that they’re out of work. We’re running on a minimal staff right now and labor exceeds sales. It’s a negative cash flow right now. … Yesterday we had sufficient sales, but not enough for payroll.”

Teti said he is “hoping people will calm down a little bit and start ordering take out.”

To entice area residents to order from Tillie’s, Teti has lowered the price on a popular item.

The “codfather” sandwich with cole slaw and fries usually costs $12.99, but the restaurant is offering it on special this week for $9.99. Haluski can be substituted for the fries. 

“It’s an unbelievable bargain just to introduce people to our take-out during the coronavirus dining room shutdown,” Teti said.

Because he can’t predict how many customers he will have as a result of dining room closures, Teti is unsure how much inventory to order.

“We’re trying not to prepare as much because you don’t know what to expect as far as waste,” Teti said.

He said operating the restaurant on a take-out-only basis has created an extra cost because he had to spend an extra $2,000 Monday to buy a surplus of take-out containers.

Despite his fears, Teti is hoping Mon Valley residents will patronize his business.

“It’s a crazy situation,” he said. “I’ve never been through this before and we’ve been here 58 years.

“I’m not going to quit. I’m going to keep going if I can. If I break even, I’ll be happy because we’ll be able to keep people working. My nerves are on end. I’m nervous as hell, but I’m just hoping the phone will ring all day today.”

Teti said he is pleading with area residents to patronize local businesses.

“Support mom-and-pop businesses in this time,” he said. “I’m not the only one going through this. Local businesses need all the help they can get.”

At Jo-Lynn Pizza, a popular lunch spot in Liberty borough, business hasn’t slowed despite the mandated changes.

“We’re doing take-out and delivery and basically we’re taking it day by day,” owner Jodi Staab said. “We’re going to stay open unless we’re told differently. We’re taking precautions with washing our hands and everything we need to do.”

Staab said she hasn’t seen a decline in sales.

“So far I haven’t seen an effect yet,” she said. “It’s only been a day. I’ve been telling the employees, you know, depending on how the sales are every day they may have to be laid off. Right now it’s been about the same.”

She said customers in Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue have been showing her pizza shop a lot of support and she is grateful.

To be a good neighbor, Staab is offering free lunches to South Allegheny students who are currently out of school as a result of Gov. Wolf’s decision to close all schools for at least two weeks in response to the spread of coronavirus.

“With school being out it gets hard for some parents to be able to supply that for their children,” Staab said. “Our customers have been great and that’s why I’m trying to do the same for them.”

SA students in need of a free lunch can visit Jo-Lynn Pizzaria, which is located at 3116 Liberty Way, from noon to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. They will be given a slice of plain or pepperoni pizza, a hot dog with macaroni and cheese or chicken nuggets and fries free of charge as long as they have an SA student ID. Elementary students must be accompanied by a parent or caretaker.

Staab believes Wolf made the right call by telling restaurants to close their dine-in facilities.

“Yes, I absolutely do,” she said.

Vince Veltre, owner of Veltre’s Pizza of White Oak, decided to close early Monday. On Tuesday, he announced his staff would be open for delivery and curbside pickup.

“Just call ahead, pay with your card and call when you get to the parking lot and we will bring it to your car,” he said.

Veltre, who has owned and operated the shop in White Oak for more than 30 years, also decided to change operating hours. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until further notice.

Despite the inability to do business as usual, Veltre is trying to keep an optimistic outlook.

He thanked his loyal customers for their understanding and cooperation.

“Together we will work through this situation,” he said. “Stay positive and be kind to one another.”

Not all food-based businesses in Mon Valley communities in Allegheny County are staying open.

Minerva Bakery, which is located on Fifth Avenue in McKeesport, was one of many area food businesses that announced Tuesday that they will be temporarily closed.

Via a Facebook post, Minerva Bakery announced it would be closing at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but we are looking out for the safety of our employees, customers and their families,” the post states. “We have not decided when we will reopen but we will let you know as you as we have decided. If you have an order you will be hearing from us.”

With its decision to close, the bakery offered words of encouragement to consumers in the Valley.

“Remember to support your favorite small businesses, as this is a particularly difficult time for them, as it is for everyone else being affected,” the post states. “Stay safe, healthy and hopeful and we will see you soon.”