Gusto! Temporarily Closes Chamblee Restaurant After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.

Gusto! has temporarily closed its Chamblee restaurant, at 4945 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the company in an email Thursday told What Now Atlanta in a prepared statement.

“Late last night, we received news that a valued gusto! team member at our Chamblee shop has tested positive for COVID-19 after being symptom-free and in quarantine for seven days,” gusto! Founder Nate Hybl said.

“We are following all the federal, state, and health department protocols, as well as our own strict guidelines, and have decided to temporarily close the Chamblee shop. We have hired a professional cleaning team to disinfect the restaurant and are requiring all Chamblee team members to get tested before they can return. We will continue to pay our Chamblee team until it is deemed safe to resume operations.”

A reopening timeline has not yet been determined.

Gusto! is the third-known Atlanta-area eatery to close its doors after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.

Hattie B’s and Little Rey were the first to close after employees had fallen ill but have since reopened.

Gusto! recently opened a new outpost in Chastain Park and later this year is expected to debut in Avalon in Alpharetta.

[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]