UPDATED: 3/20 @ 2:40 PM
(NOTE: As of 3/20, Gov. DeSantis has now mandated that all restaurants must close their dining rooms. Bars and nightclubs must shut their doors for 30 days.)
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a series of previously unthinkable moves from businesses and governments across the globe.
Here in Jacksonville, the measures being taken to combat the
spread of the highly-contagious disease are escalating quickly after the first
round of positive test results in Duval County last week – and the revelation
that one of those positive test results belonged to city council member Sam
Newby.
So far, all city-owned event venues have been shut down and,
as of later today, no more than 50 people will be allowed in any establishment
in Jacksonville (with the exception of grocery stores) and no alcohol sales
will be allowed between midnight and 8:00 AM.
These measures, while necessary, will be devastating in their effect on numerous local businesses, many of which depend upon crowd gatherings, ticket sales, or late-night alcohol sales for a large portion of their revenue. The impact will be felt from local theatre troupes, to Riverside bars and nightclubs, to decades-old community staples, and everyone in between.
Supporting local business is always crucial, but it becomes
especially imperative in times like these. That being said, everyone has the
responsibility of keeping themselves and their families safe – and no one can
expect them to endanger themselves to try to keep businesses alive.
Luckily, many local businesses have already been proactive
in their planning, letting their customers know of ways that they can offer
extra support without putting themselves in harm’s way.
We’ve compiled a list of local businesses that have either
taken the lead or joined in taking the responsible measure of closing or limiting
access in the interest of protecting Jax residents, and the ways that we as a
community can continue to support them during this pandemic. While all local
businesses need help right now, we believe the ones taking advanced steps to
keep people safe are particularly worthy of community support.
RESTAURANTS / FOOD SOURCES
- Murray Hillbilly announced the closure of their dining room on Friday “until further notice;” instead, they’re encouraging people to order via call-in, take-out, or by using a delivery app. They’ve also transitioned to accepting card payments only and have moved their ordering station to the front of the restaurant to limit indoor person-to-person contact. They also plan on lowering prices in the coming days as well as making menu adjustments to add immune system-boosting options.
- Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar is offering curbside pick-up service for all takeout orders, in addition to elevated cleaning standards. All you have to do is place an order for takeout and call them when you arrive, and they’ll walk it out to you without requiring you to leave your car.
- Prati Italia and Town Hall, both led by Chef Tom Gray, have each expanded their to-go options to include “family-style” packages that will feed a family of four for $55. If you place a pick-up order, the restaurant staff will bring you your order in your car.
- Gili’s Kitchen Catering and Bakery is offering free delivery to anyone within a three-mile radus of their restaurant at 126 W. Adams St. “until further notice.”
- Doughsserts is currently only accepting to-go orders but is offering curbside service and free deliveries on orders over $20 each night after 9:00 PM.
- Simply Sara’s has closed their dining room but is accepting take-out orders as well as delivery within a limited range. They’re also working on family-sized and individual meals to add to their menu.
- Taqueria Cinco has added a curbside service as an option for carry-out orders.
- Spice in Middleburg is opening its drive-thru window for dinner orders in addition to its usual delivery options.
- bb’s restaurant and Biscottis have added curbside pickup options as well as pick-up tables for those walking or biking.
- Restaurant Orsay is open but observing the 50-person maximum and has added curbside pickup as an option.
- All of V Pizza’s local restaurants will be offering curbside pickup services.
- Lucy’s Sweet Shop will offer a limited curbside menu starting tomorrow (3/17) featuring cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
- 1748 Bakehouse is adding curbside pickup services and a limited-range delivery service as of tomorrow (3/17).
- Community Loaves is going take-out only as of tomorrow (3/17) and will deliver your order to your car. Later in the week they’ll be offering delivery of baked goods and soup within the urban core.
- Crazy Sushi will add delivery services on Wednesday (3/18) within a six-mile radius; this service will be card-only, drivers will not carry cash and will drop your food off at your door.
- The Happy Grilled Cheese will be packaging all orders as to-go, will offer curbside services, and is partnering with UberEats for deliveries.
- Shut Em Down is closing their dining room tomorrow (3/17) but will be adding curbside pickup as well as delivery options (within 5 miles, restaurant will deliver; outside of that, BiteSquad and DoorDash will deliver).
- Pelican’s SnoBalls in Jax Beach has gone to-go only and is serving from their drive-thru window. They have sanitizer available for customers and had previously closed their game room and bathrooms in response to the pandemic. They hope to add a mobile app for ordering in the coming days.
- Fresh from Yianni’s Kitchen is offering free delivery with at least two-hour notice as of tomorrow (3/17); delivery drivers will be wearing gloves and will only use one vehicle, which will be sanitized.
- Cinotti’s Bakery in Jax Beach has gone to-go only and is offering a curbside pickup service as well as mobile menus as opposed to paper.
- Khloe’s Kitchen is setting up at 3939 Roosevelt Blvd. for to-go lunch and dinner services, as well as offering UberEats delivery and meal prep services with 48-hour notice.
- The Mini Bar is offering two pickup options: in their shop or via their drive-thru in the parking lot of their Jax Beach location. They’re also available on DoorDash for delivery in the Beaches area.
- Anthony’s Gourmet Catering will be offering grab-and-go weekly specials starting Wednesday (3/18) with pickup at their offices on Kingsley Ave.
- Hala’s Mideast Eatery and Market is offering curbside pickup services.
- Epik Burger is offering curbside pickup services from marked spaces starting tomorrow (3/17). Delivery is available through DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats.
- Bodrum Mediterranean Kitchen is offering 10% off on all take-out and curbside delivery orders.
- Ashes Boutique and Tea Garden has begun offering delivery services and also offers catering.
- Toby’s BBQ is processing call-ahead orders through its drive-thru window.
- Keg & Coin has shut their taproom down but are open for orders of packaged beer to-go.
- Wildcrafters will be going to-go only as of Wednesday (3/18) and will only be serving kava and non-alcoholic beer.
- Bold Bean Coffee has gone to-go only and has set up an online ordering system to facilitate to-go orders.
- Alewife Bottle Shop has removed all items it can’t reasonably sanitize from its taproom and has stopped seating at its bar, but packaged beer sales to-go will still be available.
- Mudville Grille is offering both curbside services and delivery.
- GuanaBana Ice Pops is offering delivery of orders of at least 10 ice pops.
- Nudo Restaurant has added curbside pickup services.
- Sub Cultured in Atlantic Beach has gone take-out only and also offers delivery. They’re encouraging online ordering to limit in-person cash and card transactions.
- Urban Folk Farm is offering free delivery on any orders over $25; they will leave your produce bagged and ready in a cooler upon request, and will accept cash in an envelope for a contactless transaction; alternative would be card/SNAP transaction with brief person-to-person contact, and the farm says they are sanitizing everything.
- Pastries by Andrea is currently only offering delivery and has online payment options to eliminate face-to-face interactions.
- Hawkers Asian Street Food is waiving delivery fees and also offering curbside delivery. They’re also offering a 50% discount on take-out orders for those in the service industry.
- Clara’s Tidbits is offering curbside pickup services.
- Taverna San Marco has added curbside pickup service and also has delivery options through Bite Squad and ChowNow.
- Social Grounds Coffee has gone to-go only and will have hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes available for customers upon pickup.
- Berry Good Farms and Kravey Gardens will each be holding morning pop-up produce shops at 1748 Bakehouse for those in need of fresh groceries that want to avoid grocery store crowds.
- Kravey Gardens, in addition to their pop-up at 1748, are also taking orders via phone or social media message and will deliver their microgreens and salad greens to your door.
- Garden Shack is offering free delivery for orders over $30.
- The Cookbook Restaurant has closed its dining room but is offering delivery and curbside pickup services.
- Congaree and Penn is offering curbside pickup services and is also opening its hundreds of acres of land for those in need of fresh air.
- 13 Gypsies is offering curbside pickup services as well as delivery through Community Couriers and GrubHub.
BARS / CLUBS / BREWERIES
- Lemonstreet Brewing Company is offering “curbside crowler” services. Here’s how it works: text or call the brewery to place your order, pay either over the phone, through Venmo, or via curbside swipe-and-pay, and they’ll bring your 32-oz. crowler out to your car for you. (Their 32-oz. crowler is also $2 off.)
- Intuition Ale Works is closing their taproom indefinitely and will be focusing on keeping shelves stocked with their brews in local grocery stores. Be sure to pick up a six-pack to thank them!
- Fishweir Brewing Company will be going to-go only by mandate, but was planning to close their taproom already; will be going to-go only for packaged beer sales and will not accept cash.
- Aardwolf Brewing Company is selling packaged beer to-go until further notice.
THE ARTS
- The Jacksonville Symphony made the incredibly generous gesture of making two performances, Give My Regards to Broadway this past Saturday and SHIFT: Kennedy Center Bound this Friday, available for free on social media and their website. As a way of saying thanks, we recommend a contribution to the Symphony.
- Sun-Ray Cinema and San Marco Theatre each chose to close their doors indefinitely despite it not yet being required. You can buy a gift card to support Sun-Ray: https://mkt.com/sunraycinema
- Alhambra Dinner Theatre is offering curbside pickup services for its chef-created meals.
OTHER
- While many local gyms are staying open, First Coast YMCA will close all of its locations as of 5:00 PM Monday. To support them for making this decision, consider a donation.
- Bold City Tattoo has gone appointment-only indefinitely.
- Auntie Peaches Apothecary is offering call-in curbside pickup services.
If you’ve seen any other local spots offering special ways
to keep supporting them during the pandemic, please let us know on social
media! (Same goes for any local business owners who would like to spread the
word about their deals/ways to support.)