Coronavirus: Nicksons Eatery 'Riding Storm'

LA GRANGE, IL — Carson Baca, co-owner of Nicksons Eatery in La Grange, says the restaurant is seen as a neighborhood spot with a lot of regulars. "That was the center of our business," she said.

That center disappeared last month, when the state required all restaurants to close their dining rooms because of the coronavirus. So Nicksons is left to carryout and third-party delivery.

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In an interview, Baca said business has dropped 80 percent since the mandated closure.

"We're riding the storm, but this is a struggle for the whole industry," Baca said in an interview. "Everyone will tell you the same."

Before, carryout and third-party delivery were small parts of Nicksons business. "We were dine-in focused," Baca said.

Before the shutdown, Nicksons had a staff of 20 employees, most of whom worked part time.

Now, it has four employees, which consists of most of the full-time workers, Baca said.

To help the laid-off employees, people can visit the restaurant's website and buy "Lift Up La Grange" T-shirts. "This alleviates some of the financial impact for all the employees who have been laid off," Baca said.

Even when restaurants are allowed to reopen, she said, the industry faces "a long road to recovery."

"I don't think we'll see normal business for a long time," Baca said. "People will be slow to come back to restaurant settings."

Orders can be placed online on Nicksons website. Its phone number is 708-354-4995.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 15: 24,593 Cases; 948 Deaths

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