BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – While COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the state, some Brown County businesses took matters into their own hands.
Some decided to close their doors temporarily until numbers improve.
For Nardi’s Affogato Bar owner Vince Nardi, the decision to shut his doors once again was one he felt he had to make.
“It’s a tough decision, but when you weigh it against the safety and well-being of my staff and the community, it wasn’t a hard decision at all.”
Affogato tells FOX 11 he closed on Friday night for two weeks.
“We’ll be back open on the 10th, so 14 days. We’re hoping something comes of it, that the numbers start going the other way and that people start following directions again like they were.”
They aren’t the only ones.
Co-owner of Polish Chic-N-Coffee and Gifts and Bistro Nora Scray tells FOX 11 she scaled back to drive-thru service only.
“We’re struggling with the idea of closing all together or just keeping the drive-thru open. The drive-thru cuts our business in half and thank God we have it but then you’re like okay, am I staying open just to break even.”
Businesses say it has been a tough year for restaurants.
“It’s hard on our employees, it’s hard on us financially,” Scray said.
“I want to see people happy and healthy. I want to see everything get back to normal sooner rather than later. It hurts a little bit in the pocketbook but at this point we’re still making it,” Nardi said.
Governor Tony Evers and the state’s top health leaders say all of Wisconsin has to work together to get the virus under control.
“Now really is the time to make different choices about our actions and our activities.”DHS secretary-designee Andrea Palm said.
“It’s really on us. This is no one’s fault. This is what the virus does when you let it do its thing,” DHS chief medical officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard said.
“We have to get back on track and make sure this virus doesn’t cause anymore setbacks to our economy and communities than it already has,” Governor Tony Evers said.
Scray says the community has stepped up to give them extra help during the pandemic.
“Without them, we would not be able to make it.”
