B.T.'s Smokehouse to close dining room, add more delivery, as retailers deal with coronavirus uncertainty
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B.T.'s Smokehouse is located in Sturbridge.
B.T.'s Smokehouse announced Sunday it would close its Sturbridge dining room starting Tuesday and add more delivery and pickup options, as more Central Massachusetts retailers are figuring out how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic while still serving customers and keeping employees working.
"Our customers and our staff remain our number one priority," B.T.'s Owner Brian Treitman said in a press release. "We want to do all we can to ensure safety for all and to out part to help flatten the curve and slow down the spread of the virus."
As part of its new safety procedures, B.T's will no longer accept cash. The BBQ restaurant has an online ordering system set up through its website, and customers pick up food from delivery windows or have it delivered.
"For the foreseeable future while we live with COVID-19, B.T.'s will continue to serve and do everything to keep our smokers going, our staff employed and our community fed," Treitman said. "As we launch this new service, we anticipate there will be glitches, and will do all we can to continue to effectively serve with a full heart."
Crompton Collective in Worcester and the locations of its sister store Haberdash in Worcester and Hudson has added pay by phone and extended pick-up windows, said Owner Amy Lynn Chase. Haberdash added shipping and electronic invoices, as well.
Worcester retailer Seed to Stem posted on Instagram to encourage customers to pay by phone and pickup any item they see on social media and want to buy.
Since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have told people to limit their interactions with people and businesses, and schools and businesses began closing for at lease two weeks, Central Massachusetts retailers have immediately felt the impact, with sales plummeting near the end of last week.
"Small businesses are scared. We are trying to talk to each other. Keep ourselves sane," said Jessica Walsh, owner of the retailer Worcester Wares in the DCU Center and on Kelley Square. There's "not much to go on other than dwindling sales. If I close, will I miss the few sales that might happen? Do I stay open and waste money and time? It's bad."
Worcester Wares is putting more of its goods online, Walsh said.
The Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester has stopped taking future orders," Owner Renee Diaz said. The store switched out all its silverware and cups with disponsable utensils and drinking cups; commited to cleaning the dining room twice per hour; and removed the signature options at its cash register.
"Now trying to decide what to do for the upcoming week," Diaz said.
Redemption Rock Brewing Co. in Worcester hasn't made any changes to its operations, although just lots of cleaning in its taproom, which accounts for 90% of its sales, CEO Dani Babineau said.
"Right now, I'm mostly dealing with the uncertainty of what's going to happen," Babineau said. "If/when we might be told to close, so trying to prepare for that."
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