Restaurants stay afloat amid the pandemic

Restaurants stay afloat amid the pandemic

Thank you for joining us tonight -- i'm dan shaffer.

And i'm najahe sherman.

We want to get straight to waay 31's megan reyna.

She's live in downtown with more on how establishments are working to keep you safe, and how you're helping them survive.

Megan... i was able to stop into a few businesses this evening -- including green bus brewing right here.

And there were people enjoying a drink inside.

I learned after speaking with customers downtown -- they are still very aware coronavirus is still here -- but feel better coming out because of the safety precautions businesses are taking.

Mos says:"kind of anxious, excited."

Mos says:"we're just kinda living on a wing and prayer here."

You won't find a completely full restaurant or bar downtown... but business is picking up.

Nats humphreys bar and grille sees more and more customers dine- in each week.

James says:"you know we picked back up, people are going to come back out, you know we go off our community and everybody's been supporting us very well."

Manager aaliyah james believes its because they are taking safety precautions to make customers feel safe.

Each day -- the employees have their temperatures taken.

Customers are seated at least 6-feet apart.

James says:"we're doing really good at social distancing and all our employees wearing masks, washing our hands, sanitizing tables."

Natz a few blocks down and around the corner -- green bus brewing is also starting to see business pick up.

But it's still not quite the same as before coronavirus.

Huff says:"we still have a lot of customers who were regulars prior to covid that were not seeing, and we have a lot of customers that used to come sit with us that come and get growlers to go."

Co-owner carey huff says they are making enough to pay the bills and keep all their employees... but not quite making profit.

Huff says:"we've weathered well to this point, you know we'll be able to maintain this level of business indefinitely, we won't see any growth, and jason and i wouldn't be able to see any salary."

Huff's business is also taking as many precautions as it can... with employees wearing masks... cleaning often... and spreading out seating.

Huff says:"when we're closing every night, we wipe the whole place with clorox."

And while its still a risk to be out and about during this pandemic -- people are taking that chance... to support local businesses.

Mos says:"because these are people with families, they have bills to pay themselves."

Mos says:"we love supporting local businesses."

Huff -- the owner here -- told me he thinks downtown businesses will continue to survive because there's a lot of foot traffic -- and outdoor seating options.

Reporting live in hsv mr