Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Many local businesses are pondering their immediate and long-term futures as Bars, Restaurants, Gyms, Casinos, and Movie Theaters have been ordered to close across New York State.
For many in the restaurant industry, the pain is immediate
"We're accepting it, but I have two children that I have to feed, and I have my extended family, which are all my employees," said Marc Frisicaro, Owner of Frizzy's bar on Allen.
"I hope people aren't financially ruined. It will put a hurt on a lot of these small businesses."
"People are scared, employees are scared, customers are scared," said Tucker Curtin, who owns the Steer and Lake Effect Diner in Buffalo. "I'm at the point where I'm going to Home Depot to buy sheets of plywood and I'm going to board up The Steer."
"My staff is so nervous," said Ellie Grennaur, owner of the Glen Park Tavern. "They're nervous about not making any money, they're nervous about the virus."
The move was sudden, but not entirely unexpected to many of the business owners who spoke to WBEN. The state said restaurants and bars will move to take-out and delivery services only. New York is changing its rules to allow bars, restaurants and distilleries to sell their products off premises.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is “strongly encouraging” nonessential businesses to close in New York after 8 p.m.
“Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn’t crash our health care system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that,” Cuomo said.
"I do believe that this was inevitable," said Jason Havens, co-owner of Rusty Nickel brewing. "Let's just make it so it's a blanket condition. No questions, no concerns as to whether you're complying with the laws or not, and also making sure that public safety is the number one priority."
"We're trying to prepare for it right now," said Curtin. "We're trying to figure out what's our best mode of attack. Do we shut down completely? Do we go in to to-go orders?"
Even though the law allows for restaurants and bars to offer take-out to customers, including alcohol, for many businesses, that model simply doesn't work.
"We are going to just close our doors," said Frisicaro. "We're mostly a bar business."
Many bars realize that their patrons are typically looking for a night out, not necessarily their food offerings, and are more likely to make their drinks at home instead of ordering out.
Still, Frisicaro looks at Frizzy's being better positioned than most to weather the closing.
"Luckily I do own our building," Frisicaro said. "I'm just going to turn the lights off, turn the electric off, and until we hear further notice, notify my employees that they can collect unemployment and as soon as I hear something we'll open our doors back up."