Leominster restaurant owner emphasizes consistency as post-pandemic world nears
Erica Grinkis, owner of The GazBar Sports Grill and Central Cup in Leominster
Looking back over the past year, Erica Grinkis, owner of Leominster eateries The Gazbar and Central Cup, reflects on how operations changed but management remained the same when the coronavirus pandemic struck.
Grinkis, who owns the restaurant and a bakery in Leominster, said at first the pandemic did a number on both businesses. However, as the year went on, she found ways to bounce back from that. Grinkis went on to appreciate her staff as they all helped in their respective roles; although their job description must have changed, she did not have any issues with staffing as all her workers were willing to work through the pandemic successfully.
Today, Grinkis talks about how her business will operate post-pandemic. Obeying the guidelines of the state is an ethic that she and her workers have adapted to and will continue to do. Customers are expected to be a part of this future planning process. When asked how she was able to make customers adhere to the state guidelines, Grinkis said:
“There were days which a customer would refuse to put on their mask in the restaurants, and we made sure they understood that they would not be allowed back next time,” Grinkis said.
Managing a business in a pandemic is quite different from day to day management in a pre-COVID-19 world, with the state guidelines of wearing a mask, maintaining six feet distance apart, sanitizing often and many more sanitary rules. She said it is hard to see things turn out for customers that way, however there was an ongoing pandemic and rules needed to be followed.
Furthermore, on what the future holds for her business, Grinkis emphasizes on the importance of consistency during and post pandemic.
“No matter what the restrictions were in place, whatever we were allowed to do, we did it and we were very consistent with it throughout. Which in return helped us gain more business,” she said.
Grinkis plans to continue doing what needs to be done as things open back up and remain consistent with it. Unlike many other small businesses, Grinkis’s bakery and restaurant was successful in handling things and looks forward to more people coming by.
When asked what she wanted people to know about her business, she said:
“We are just a big family and everybody has worked through this together and gone through the ups and downs,” she said. “Everyone basically put in the most effort and I think that speaks volumes.”
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