In the wake of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, businesses across the country have had to close their doors. Others are facing severe limitations in the way they operate. But for people working in the restaurant industry who only make enough income to survive month to month, ‘not going to work’ or ‘closing up shop’ isn’t a viable option. This is also true in our hometown, Decatur, GA.
Wait staff, baristas, bar tenders, and managers all depend on daily sales to stay afloat. For the workers whose wages are largely tip-based, the need for continued support and revenue is vital to their livelihood.
So what can these businesses do to stay afloat? To help address the needs of these businesses, the Winnona Partners team is readily available to help restaurants and businesses implement whatever they need to continue making sales during this public health crisis.
For example, we were able to swiftly help one of first clients (also our favorite coffee shop in Decatur), Kavarna. Recently, Kavarna had to adjust their hours of operation and limit their service to making to-go orders only. (Update: After closing down temporarily, Kavarna is now open with limited hours.)
A business like this needs to get the message out to people clearly and quickly. However, this crisis is also an opportunity to consider new ways for customers to make purchases or donate directly online. As a small business ourselves, we understand the importance of deploying a simple change fast to your customers.
An Easy & Cheap Way to Collect Donations online
Fortunately, our team has a wheelhouse of tools available to help businesses of all sizes find ways to monetize online. In Kavarna’s case, this meant putting up pages and links where people could purchase gift cards or donate tips to support baristas–all powered by PayPal.

But other restaurant clients, like LanZhou Ramen and Crossing Bridge Noodle, decided to display a message on the home page of their website to alert customers of their temporary closure. Update: LanZhou Ramen is now open for dine-in and carry-out.
Let’s work together to help each other through this difficult time. Is your business facing a temporary closure? Do you need to pivot to adjust to the new market environment? If so, please contact us.
We understand the importance of keeping your business operational. Above all, we’ll collaborate with you to do whatever is necessary to help you cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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