B.T.'s Smokehouse aiming to open Worcester location in mid-May
Photo | Grant Welker
The new B.T.'s Fried Chicken and BBQ location at Park Avenue and Chandler Street in Worcester.
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During an interview on the WBJ podcast, the business partners working on a Worcester location of Sturbridge BBQ restaurant B.T.'s Smokehouse said they are hoping to open by mid-May and can do so even if Massachusetts' non-essential business shutdown over the coronavirus remains in effect until then.
"My birthday is May 18. I would like to spend it with my staff in the new restaurant," said Billy Nemeroff, who is partnering with B.T.'s Founder Brian Treitman on the Worcester location.
Because barbecue is a more takeout friendly food and the original BT's Smokehouse started out as a takeout-only establishment, Treitman said the Sturbridge restaurant has fared better than most during Gov. Charlie Baker's non-essential business shutdown, which forces restaurant dining rooms to close while they may still offer takeout and delivery.
The shutdown is scheduled to be lifted May 4, although Baker has indicated it could be extended depending on how effectively the measures to stem the spread of coronavirus have worked. The shutdown has already been extended once.
Since the shutdown started on March 24, B.T.'s is generating about 75% of the revenue it normally does, Treitman said. The restaurant has avoided layoffs, although it has reduced staff hours, which Nemeroff and Treitman hope to reverse once the Worcester location is up and running.
The Worcester location will be called B.T.'s Fried Chicken and BBQ and will be at 318 Park Ave. at Chandler Street in a former D'Angelo sandwich shop that's been vacant for the last few years.
Listen to the entire episode of the WBJ podcast The Weekly Business Report, for more on B.T.'s new location, including why barbecue is takeout friendly, how the new restaurant is being configured to maximize social distancing, and why it is important to open the Worcester location before the late spring and summer season.
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