Worcester's Niche Hospitality temporarily closing all restaurants

Photo | Grant Welker The temporarily closed Mezcal Tequila Cantina in Worcester

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For the first few weeks of the coronavirus-related shutdown of most businesses, Niche Hospitality Group in Worcester kept serving burgers to-go at Fix Burger Bar and take-out tacos at Mezcal Tequila Cantina.

But Niche said Friday it is now closing those restaurants for the time being for the safety of employees and customers.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily close all of the Niche Hospitality restaurants. The safety of our customers and of our employees is paramount to us, and managing that responsibility has become very difficult during these trying times," Niche said in a Facebook message.

"During the closure we will commit to more deep cleaning and sanitizing at all of our restaurants, and we will closely monitor the developments of the virus during the anticipated surge," Niche said. "At the earliest possible time that we feel it is safe, we will open again for takeout and delivery at as many of the Niche restaurants as possible. We do not anticipate an extended closing at this time."

The restaurant group initially kept open most of its restaurants for take-out orders except the Worcester bar Still & Stir and the Leominster location of Mezcal.

Gov. Charlie Baker first ordered non-essential businesses to close their physical workspaces on March 23, and has extended that order through May 4. Restaurants were able to do takeout and delivery but had to close their dining rooms.