While dining areas and patio service were shut down, operating hours adjusted and staff cut to the minimum needed to service their customers, Romans continued to find ways to support the local roasters by purchasing their favorite drinks, bagged coffee to brew at home, and Swift and Finch apparel like t-shirts and tumblers. The support was undoubtedly appreciated. “The support from our customers and the community in general has been overwhelming,” says Manager Mark McLucas. “We have lost revenue like just about every business, but people have gone out of their way to come in and give us their business. We have always appreciated that, but it’s hard not to appreciate it even more in these times.” That support helps keep the doors open, but more importantly it has kept the staff working. “We were fortunate that this hit during a transition period for us so a lot of our staff who didn’t necessarily need to work or had this as a 2nd job opted to go home and shelter in place with their families. That allowed those who had this as their primary source of income to keep working so the timing in that sense was good.” 38
V3 MAGAZINE MAY 2020 | READV3.COM
