Redbird 2020-03-16 004_web
Local News

Local restaurants race to adapt as statewide dine-in ban goes into effect

A sign on the door of Redbird Cafe in Homewood on Monday morning lets patrons know that takeout service is available. Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars in the state to stop dine-in service through March 30 as a way to combat the spread of the pandemic coronavirus. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)

Redbird Cafe owner Kim Nolen announced on Sunday at 3 p.m. that her restaurant would be closed for dine-in service but would continue to provide take-out meals. 

A sign on the door of Redbird Cafe in Homewood on Monday morning lets patrons know that takeout service is available. Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars in the state to stop dine-in service through March 30 as a way to combat the spread of the pandemic coronavirus. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)

A 4 p.m. an email from Gov. JB Pritzker announced that all restaurants and bars in the state would be doing the same through March 30 to help combat the spread of the pandemic coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation on Sunday that gatherings should be limited to no more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

The unprecedented step will be a difficult one for local businesses to handle, but restaurants are already working to adapt.

Redbird, at 2057 Ridge Road in Homewood, had a sign on the door Monday morning noting that takeout service is available and that delivery options may come soon.

Across the street, Meg Sakka, manager of La Banque Hotel, said the hotel’s restaurant, La Voute Bistro + Bar, is also working on options to continue service while the dine-in option is not available. 

In Flossmoor, Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery announced it will offer takeout and is planning to provide free delivery.

Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld said Sunday night that village Marketing Director Jennifer Quirke and other staff members are working on a plan for the village to help promote the takeout and delivery options of local restaurants that offer them.

He said the village would contact all restaurantswithout drive-thru facilities to see if they plan to offer takeout or delivery, and those that do will get help from the village getting the word out to the community. 

“We’ll try to help our restaurants as best we’re able,” he said. 
 

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