KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting one minute after midnight on Tuesday, the only food and beverage establishments that can remain open in Jackson, Johnson and Wyandotte counties are those that offer delivery, drive-through or pick-up services. One business in Waldo had adjusted its services hours before the order came down.
It's a decision Bier Station owner John Couture made on the fly minutes before opening at noon.
"There's a lot of folks especially, in the restaurant, bar, retail industry," Couture said. "So we're just trying to keep our staff employed best we can."
His staff of 16 is adapting in these uncertain times.
Once he posted his inventory of local, regional and global beers on social media, the calls started pouring in.
The concept appealed to many customers, like Jessica Garcia, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm very nervous," Garcia said. "I've been social distancing, like 100%, so this allows me to continue social distancing, while still supporting local businesses, still keeping the economy in Kansas City going and like providing our business but still staying safe."
Another customer, Phillip Charlton, also supports Bier Station's efforts.
"These guys they survive on such small margins anyway, and they're gonna have zero traffic, so we want to support as much as we can," Charlton said.
It's a much appreciated gesture at this Waldo establishment.
"Beneath the surface, there's that bubbling level of dread," Couture said, "Just not knowing what tomorrow will bring, but the best we can do is stay together. And I'm sure people are gonna need a drink after all this craziness, so whatever we can do to help."
Bier Station is working to launch delivery orders later this week.
