Dining, Drinking and Distancing Downtown During a Pandemic

Written During Florida’s Stay at Home Order During the COVID-19 pandemic

BY LEON KONIECZNY

Late this winter, Downtown Sanford’s food and beverage venues were packed most Friday and Saturday nights. Almost every weekend seemed to bring other events and the corresponding crowds downtown. Several new places were in the process of opening at Henry’s Depot, and Mark Nation’s big restaurant and distillery project was under construction. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and it struck the downtown Sanford food and beverage industry hard.

Within about a week, Sanford went from “reservations recommended” to take-out only. The state and county mandated stay-at-home orders quickly changed the business models of most small businesses downtown. A few closed immediately. Some tried modified business practices and then closed. Some closed at first, but then reopened. They all had to quickly find a way to survive. What was that like? How did bars and restaurants adapt? And what does the future hold?

Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café took the lead, and quickly cancelled all reservations, reworked their outside area into a pick-up station with appropriate social distancing signage, and revamped their website to allow online ordering. The city helped a bit by allowing businesses to designate parking for take out, too. We picked up a double order of schnitzel on the first weekend of isolation, and it was good as always—the only thing missing was the good old German Music.

West End Trading Company set the tone for other bars in town. Under the new guidelines, bars as well as restaurants were permitted to offer liquor, wine and beer to-go, so they adapted with a drive-up model. Their sister business, Celery City Craft, went a step further with bagged craft cocktails available to go, and they even came with a straw. Under the circumstances, breweries generally fared OK. Growler or crowler refills were available (and still are) from many of our local watering holes, including Wop’s Hops, Sanford Brewing Company, and Deviant Wolfe.

Zorba’s, The Sullivan, and The Breezeway. Some restaurants closed immediately, but then slowly reopened for takeout. A notable example was the Colonial Room, which reopened for takeout with a big bang for its monthly fish fry, held on the first Friday of each month. They sold so many French fries that day, they had to call in a few favors for more fries.

But still, Sanford was a ghost town, mostly empty by 8 PM every evening, if not earlier. Each business struggling for the small amount of traffic. To support local businesses, the 327 Gentleman’s Club started the “Sanford Stimulus” campaign. We know Sanfordites will do almost anything for a free T-shirt. “Sanford Stimulus” cards—some 7,000 of them, were distributed to the local downtown food and drink businesses that remained open. With any purchase of $10 or more, you’d get a stimulus card. When you collected twelve cards, you can redeem a free “I Stimulated Sanford” T-shirt. Imagine, 7,000 cards times the $10 minimum means a minimum of $70,000 poured into the local economy. But I can tell you that my average bill was closer to $50 plus, of course, generous tips each time. This campaign could’ve brought several hundred thousand dollars to the struggling downtown businesses.

Buster’s Bistro stayed afloat with a minimal staff and featured some great food and drink specials and maintained a good social media presence. Their Long Island Iced Tea-like drink in a pint jar was very good—just take

Clockwise from top left: Salvatore's Prime Sandwich from The Basin Henry's Depot; Airline Chicken and Spoon Bread from Tennessee Truffle; takeout/pickup area at The Colonial Room

it home, refrigerate, pour on ice, and drink. After a few weeks, The Smiling Bison decided to do takeout, and did it well. We had a few wonderful meals from them as well. Throwback’s, an Irish Pub, did late night take-out orders with pizza, and other fare, along with drinks.

As of mid-May, the state and county began to relax restrictions. Bars had to remain closed, but restaurants could open to 25% capacity inside, and tables outside needed to be at least 6’ apart. For some, this was good news. For those with limited outdoor space and small capacity, it remains a difficult time. Still no large gatherings are allowed, events are still cancelled, including the Fourth of July fireworks, but slowly, bit by bit, people are venturing out and eating out. A few places have reopened, including The District, The Breezeway, St. John’s River Steak and Seafood. Two weeks later, the state allowed restaurants to increase their capacity to 50%. Sanford is still struggling, but Sanford is strong and resilient, and its citizens fiercely support their local businesses. Now, we are just waiting to write the next chapter. Bars are open, restaurants hope to be busy again, and the streets of Sanford hope to see more people in them. I know we are making progress. I know we are Sanford Strong. I have extreme confidence in Sanford’s small businesses—I know they will be back, stronger than ever. It may take some time, but Sanford is indeed strong. n

Leon Konieczny is a local Central Florida foodie and food blogger who’s been writing about Sanford and Seminole County area “good eats” restaurants for the past seven years. He’s big into eating at local mom ‘n’ pop shops where high quality ingredients, love, and a dose of home cooking make all the difference. While he occasionally eats at the big chains, he claims it’s only to remind him where a real quality dining experience lurks — in the small restaurants which are the heart and soul of every neighborhood and community.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA’S PANDEMIC PHOENIX

BY LEON KONIECZNY

During the spring “stay at home” orders to help control the COVID-19 pandemic, “Sanford Strong” signs began to appear in and near downtown. “This is temporary—Sanford is forever,” one such sign touted. As restrictions were relaxed, that indeed proved to be true because Sanford is rebounding from the shutdown. By early June, April’s ghost town downtown was replaced by residents, visitor, cars, and pedestrians. Sanford was again alive with everyone safely enjoying all that Sanford has to offer. Just as social distancing and face masks became common, laughter, music, dining and drinking came back to life. Sanford is alive. The popular hashtag #Sanfording has a little brother now, #SanfordingSafely, and Facebook posts are starting to display both monikers as folks get out and about, again posting pictures of all the fun to be had in and around downtown Sanford.

Our wonderful, unique restaurants in historic downtown Sanford have reopened to inside dining with appropriate safety measures, and most continue to do takeout as well. Keep in mind that, just like before the pandemic, some restaurants suggest making reservations, especially on the weekends. Our two local theaters have announced their 2020-2021 seasons. Many of the bars now have food service as well, and some are booming with business. Retail has come back and stores are open, as is Sanford’s premier and popular art gallery, Jeanine Taylor Folk Art & Gallery on First. Fort Mellon park is open as well and a beehive of activity, especially on the weekends.

Event organizers are busy preparing for events for later this year as Sanfording kicks into gear again. My Sanford Magazine is a good source for information on upcoming events, as well as the Calendar feature on the locally popular Facebook Page and website for Sanford 365 (https://www.sanford365.com/). Event planning is happening again, and by the time you read this, several events will have been announced with more to follow.

So, what about the phoenix? In mythology, that long-lived creature periodically regenerates or is born again. That is Sanford’s story. At one time a thriving city and hub of river and railroad commerce, it went through a period of decline, but in the last decade, it has rebounded. The pandemic hit local businesses hard. They are coming back and doing so with a vengeance in true Sanford form, of course, helping each other be better. “The rising tide floats all ships,” and local business owners do just that. Knowing that helping one makes all better—it makes Sanford better. We’ve already seen some positive changes. For starters, online and social media presence has improved. Many restaurants now offer online ordering for takeout and pickup. And hand sanitizer is everywhere, much of it produced locally by Sanford’s only craft distillery, Loggerhead. A prime example of how Sanford helps Sanford by turning your vodka and spirits distillery operation into a hand sanitizer producer. Post-pandemic shutdown, Sanford is rebounding, every week it gets better, busier, and stronger. People are coming out and enjoying all that Sanford has to offer, including its plethora of parks, dining, and beautiful historic spaces. Sanford is indeed strong, and Sanford is back! n

#sanfording #sanfordingSafely