Welcome to COVID-19 Daily, our round-up column covering coronavirus-related brick-and-mortar news with intel like restaurants that are reopening for takeout and delivery, charitable happenings, virtual classes and services, and miscellaneous feel-good tidbits. Send us an email for inclusion consideration in tomorrow’s roundup.
The Varsity has restarted servicing customers through its “drive-in” and walk-up ordering.
The iconic, 92-year-old Atlanta restaurant reopened for its dine-out services Tuesday after completely closing down in March in an effort to do its part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
The Varsity’s dining room and restrooms remain closed, although as ordered by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, are allowed to be open so as long as management adheres to these 39 guidelines.
Satellite locations of the restaurant in Athens, Dawsonville, Kennesaw, and Norcross, have also reopened for takeout daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with cashless payment only.
The Pantry & Provisions Offering Weekly Virtual Farmers Market
The Pantry & Provisions in the Healey Building is now offering a weekly Farmers Market with call-ahead, online payment, and pickup for Downtown residents.
“As thousands of restaurants close their doors nationwide, the impact is echoed on our small family farmers across our state,” Founder Brady Lowe in an email Thursday told What Now Atlanta.
“We ask you to consider buying local as every dollar spent can help keep farmers from certain failure. Our restaurant offers a weekly online ordering form which helps some farmers I personally know keep moving food.”
Here’s how the Farmers Market works:
- Click on the Google Sheet and check out the variety of small, local farmers participating.
- Fill out your contact details, share your preferred payment information, and then toggle the number of items from each farmer. The restaurant also offers a menu of takeaway dinners and provisions for pickup.
- Head to The Pantry & Provisions, at 57 Forsyth Street NW, on Friday between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. When you arrive, double park on Walton, and run on in to grab your order.
Independent Restaurant Coalition Calls on Congress To Establish ‘Stabilization Fund’
The Independent Restaurant Coalition, an organization made up of 500,000 independent restaurants in which employ 11 million people, is calling on Congress to establish the Independent Restaurant Stabilization Fund to “ensure restaurants will receive the necessary capital to reopen and stay open.”
Signatures are being collected here and the organization’s letter to Congress can be read here.
STK Launches ‘Meat Market’
Midtown’s STK has launched a Meat Market, offering diners the restaurant’s signature Choice and Prime cut steaks, delivered straight to their door. Orders can be placed via this link.
All packages, ranging in price from $99 for the “STK Staples” to $279 for the “STK Connoisseur,” come with chef-curated instruction cards, links to STK Radio, and dining dollars to use for future in-person dining visits.
Diners who spend up to $200 will receive $25 Dining Dollars or $50 Dining Dollars with all packages over $200.
[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.]
