Saline MI
3-17-2020 1:38am

Saline Restaurant Owners Face Decision. Who's Open? Who's Closed?

Every time you turn around, another shoe drops.

Monday, the other shoe dropped on Saline’s restaurant community.

In a move unimaginable only weeks ago, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer surprised nobody when she signed an executive order closing the dining rooms of Michigan’s restaurants in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus. There were 53 confirmed cases in the state Monday evening. Whitmer’s order also closed movie theaters, rec centers, indoor sports facilities, casinos and other places of public accommodation.

Whitmer’s order did allow restaurants to continue serving food and beverages by delivery service or walk-up, drive-up and  drive-through service. Restaurants may allow up to five people in the facility at a time as long as they remain six feet apart.

So, Saline’s restaurant owners had a choice. Close their dining rooms and make a go of it with carryout and delivery options. Or close their doors altogether.

Dan’s Downtown Tavern is one of three downtown Saline restaurants that, at least for now, is closing its doors. Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack and Brecon Grille and Pub have also decided to close their doors. Owner Dan Kolander said it just didn’t make sense to try and run a carryout business.

“We’re not delivery. I’d have to get five orders all over town, and things are cold. That’s a problem,” Kolander said. “We’re going to shut her down and do what we can do to help our employees.”

Kolander was sending employees home with food from the kitchen. Any food they didn’t take was going to be delivered to Saline Area Social Service - a local non-profit agency with a foodbank. An agency expecting to be much busier because local businesses are being forced to close their doors or scale back hours for employees.

Across Michigan Avenue, on South Ann Arbor Street, Karen Carrigan, of Carrigan Cafe, has decided she’s going to make a go of it. She’ll be open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, serving coffee, pastries and other things from her menu. People can call ahead or they can drive up or walk up and order.

These are not easy times.

“It’s scary for me and for the staff. I’m worried about my staff. Some of them are paycheck to paycheck. And my business is paycheck to paycheck,” Carrigan said. “Everyone’s staying at home. All the shelves are open. But I want you to get what you need - for you to get your coffee.”

Kolander, who owns his building, said he’ll be fine during the shutdown. But he’s worried about his staff.

“I worry about my employees - the single moms. The people who rely on income,” Kolander said. “And I’ll do what I can to help them. I know Saline Area Social Service is helping. I just hope this is over within a couple weeks. I really do.”

Employees impacted by closures or reduced hours can each out to Saline Area Social Service by calling 429-4570.

Here’s a list of the Saline area restaurants who are open.

  • Carrigan Cafe, carryout, (734) 316-7633, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Brewed Awakenings Cafe, carryout, curbside or delivery within a five mile radius, 734-681-0078, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. www.brewedawakeningscafe.com/

  • Benny’s Bakery, curbside pickup (call 429-9120 with your order). Regular hours.

  • Salt Springs Brewery, pick up or delivery ($20 minimum order, limited area). 295-9191. Visit www.saltspringsbrewery.com. You can even order beer to go.

  • Matty J’s Bakery and Cafe, curbside or regular pickup, 734-316-7747

  • Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders, pickup or delivery (https://www.mancinossaline.com/) or 944-2838.bre

  • Hungry Howie’s, pickup or delivery, (734) 944-9188.

  • Domino’s Pizza, pickup or delivery, (734) 944-4555.

  • Oscar’s Sports and Grill, Curbside Pickup, (734) 429-7700, www.oscarssportsgrill.com

  • Mi Zarape, Carry Out, (734) 470-6638. www.mizarapemexican.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Biwako Sushi, Take Out, (734) 944-6301. 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sun-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri-Sat.

  • Cheese Shop of Saline, Carry Out, (734) 470-6326

  • Tippin’s Market, Pick Up and Carry Out. (734) 665-3690

  • Bridgewater Bank, Carry Out, (734) 429-5875 (Menu at www.bridgewaterbanktavern.com)

  • Mark’s Midtown Coney Island, Carry out, (734) 429-1755. Open at 7 a.m.

  • Joyful House, carry-out or drive-up, 734-944-3197, www.joyfulhouserestaurant.com.

  • Baker's Nook, 429-1320, is offering free delivery on orders of $25 or more.

 

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