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.
Japanese eatery Nakato is the latest restaurant to temporarily close its doors, suspending takeout and delivery, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nakato stayed open as long as possible, but in light of Governor Kemp’s recent statements addressing the projections of a steep increase in COVID-19 related illness and death in the coming weeks, we feel that temporarily closing Nakato during this time period is the only socially responsible course of action,” Sachi Nakato Takahara, the restaurant’s owner (pictured above), wrote in an email to patrons Monday.
“This is a painful decision for all of us at Nakato, and one that we have not come to lightly, but the health of our team and our community is of the highest importance. We want to do everything we can possibly do to help flatten this curve, and if that means having ourselves and our employees self-isolate, then that is what we need to do.”
As with most restaurants that have opted to close voluntarily, it’s unclear when Nakato will reopen.
“We will be taking this time to regroup, and at the end of the next couple of weeks, we will reevaluate what the prudent course of action will be at that time. Feel free to check our Facebook page and website for updates.”
Nakato joins a growing list of eateries pressing the breaks during the “stay at home” including Fellini’s Pizza, La Fonda Cantina, Chai Pani, The Vortex, Rocket Farm Restaurants, Star Provisions Restaurant Group, Slutty Vegan, and many more.
[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.]
