By JORDAN J. PHELAN
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CLAREMONT — The call for proactive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 consummated by stay-at-home declarations instituted by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott two weeks ago has temporarily shuttered local businesses of various sizes. Many restaurants have quickly adapted to this new reality, altering hours of operation and creating creative ways to get you the food you crave. But what makes this especially spectacular is not particularly how businesses are accomplishing this, but why.
Owners and staff alike are taking the brunt of COVID-19 in the wallet. But across the country, acts of generosity are, like spring flowers, sprouting up everywhere, including right here in Claremont where a few phone calls have made all the difference.
Joshua Savage and his family have run their tight-knit neighborhood restaurant The Barn Cafe on Main Street since 2018, when they decided to pursue their dream of reopening the Red Barn Bakery Cafe — at the time located in nearby Ascutney, Vermont — after its closing in Aug. 2015. In this short timespan the eatery has become a staple of longtime residents and short-term travelers, best known for its fresh treats, locally sourced ingredients and upbeat atmosphere, which is easily summed up in its slogan: “Love. Food. Friends.”
In line with the restaurant’s message of collaboration, numerous businesses each dealing with their own problems amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have reached out to and worked with Joshua over the past month to offer discounts, guidance and resources to ensure his establishment, along with all small businesses and medical facilities in the area, makes it through this period plagued with emotional and financial hardship. In return, The Barn Cafe has done the same.
“I know that I am not the only restaurant in town. So please go support everyone you can,” Joshua said. “I consider each business part of this town and we should be acting as allies, not as foes. We are a result of the support from the community we have received. I don’t want to take any credit. They have supported us and welcomed us. They gave us a chance and we are paying it back.”
Wake up call
The first thought to pop into Joshua’s head as he awoke early Thursday morning was the financial security of his staff. One of seven children born into a cash-strapped household, it became instinctual for him to put aside funds as life allowed. Amid the continuous obstacles, this practice combined with supportive community partners have kept the cafe running when other businesses in the city have been forced to close their doors for the time being.
On March 15 at 9:32 p.m., Joshua received a message from a fellow local restaurant owner warning the 31-year-old business owner that the newly implemented take-out only policy in Massachusetts could be coming to New Hampshire in short order. As the potential stay-at-home orders and dine-in restrictions on either side of the Connecticut River became increasingly inevitable, Joshua secured the necessary materials from his local supply partners, including McNamara Dairy in Plainfield, to make certain that business continues as usual given the current circumstances.
Two such community leaders — Brad Willey of Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza and Jocelyn Peterson of Tremont House of Pizza — have greatly assisted Joshua in his endeavor to remain open by offering advice on how their business models could best be modified to fit the customer base of The Barn Cafe. In taking their words to heart, Joshua was able to acquire $700 worth of take-out containers and a separate amount of paper goods in preparation for potential deliveries.
“As things were really starting to evolve with COVID-19, [Brad and Jocelyn] both reached out to me in a really kind way to make sure that I knew what was going on and to make sure I was prepared to change,” he said.
Still, Joshua had an important decision to make. Each year, The Barn Cafe takes a spring break in early April to provide time off for employees and allow the restaurant to adjust to the new season. At first, the conclusion seemed simple: take the week off. This choice seemed to be officially solidified when Sununu declared a stay-at-home order on Thursday, March 26.
“When Sununu’s order hit, I knew. I knew that was going to reduce me, I thought, by half. And I was right. Literally the next day it was half as busy. I mean less than half. It was like a ghost town here. You could hear crickets in the building. It was sad.”
But in the days leading up to Monday, March 30, the community spoke.
“When people in the community were all saying to us, ‘we really need you,’ and our customers were telling me directly, ‘we’re gonna really miss you,’ ‘you are the only real big light in the community right now,’ that was everything I needed to hear,” he said.
It started when Keady Family Practice reached out to The Barn Cafe inquiring about the restaurant’s annual weeklong shutdown. As The Barn Cafe is a regular source of quality, freshly prepared food for the reduced staff of 15, Dan Keady, human resource director at Keady Family Practice, wondered if there was any way to remain open for the week. He ultimately offered to order lunches for the entire staff for two days. With additional requests from employees at CVS Pharmacy and Valley Regional Hospital, the idea of remaining open to support health care workers on the front lines grew.
The culmination of these numerous appeals came when Joshua was having a conversation with Business Development Specialist for the City of Claremont Rebecca Vinduska. As they were talking one staff member walked up to Joshua and presented him with a note. It stated that the woman who had called was with the Claremont Savings Bank and the order was for 60 sandwiches.
“I have always thought that if the community needs me, I am not going anywhere,” Joshua said. “Those series of events told me the community needs me.”
Small businesses, large collaboration
In the spirit of giving back to those who are risking their own lives to save others, The Barn Cafe, Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza and Tremont House of Pizza have teamed up to supply food to local health care and medical workers at no cost. The three establishments coordinate surprise delivery dates and times to a number of facilities in the area.
These businesses have also offered to help one another. When initially discussing the possibility of adding delivery to The Barn Cafe, Tremont House of Pizza offered to help sell and deliver baked goods from the cafe on behalf of Joshua and his staff. Although he has not needed it, Joshua was more than grateful for the offer and is now making deliveries to customers in the city who request it. He has even extended the same service to them.
“I used to deliver for Domino’s Pizza way back in the day. But this is a totally different animal,” Joshua said. “There is nothing like what is happening right now.”
As small businesses are more susceptible to economic hits in comparison to large chain stores, these assets provided by members of the community and fellow businesses are imperative to withstanding a reduction in commerce that would otherwise prove devastating.
The Barn Cafe is also offering 10% off orders by medical and pharmaceutical workers and free coffee with no purchase necessary (as well as free specialty drink side upgrades). Deliveries are currently available on Thursday and Friday from 7-3 and Saturday from 8-3. A $15 minimum is necessary and a $2 delivery fee will be imposed.
A show of appreciation
But the acts of kindness are not just limited to businesses. Since The Barn Cafe made the decision to remain open customers have been flooding the restaurant with acts of generosity. Some have decided to purchase gift certificates in an effort to supply the restaurant with funds now without reducing its present food supply. Others have given large sums of money in the form of a tip, like one for $50 on a $19 order, or another for $70 on a $30 order, and even a $250 tip on just a $9 order.
In these ways, morale at the establishment is high and only a positive outlook lies ahead for all who work there.
“It’s a whole new challenge. Everything has changed,” said Bev Savage, a part-time employee at The Barn Cafe and mother of Joshua. “But we have made adjustments and it’s working. It will be good for the business in the end.”
While it is not clear yet if The Barn Cafe will take a late spring break once the pandemic begins to reside, Joshua is clear that he will do what it takes to keep his staff working normal hours at the same rate.
“[My staff members] are the ones that make this happen,” he said. “I knew there were many lovely people in our community, but I never realized how much people can come together in a time like this.”
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