Casa Mia's White Marsh Adds Toilet Paper To Some Carryout Orders

NOTTINGHAM, MD — A week ago, restaurants across Maryland were told to close their dine-in operations and switch to carryout or delivery if they wanted to continue serving customers. As businesses switch the way they engage with the public due to the new coronavirus, one Italian eatery near Perry Hall has added a little something extra, an item that is not on the menu.

For those who place orders of at least $25, Casa Mia's White Marsh is throwing a roll of toilet paper in with the purchases.

In the past week, Casa Mia's White Marsh owner Ken Dilda said his business has given away more than 700 rolls of toilet paper.

"We didn't think it would help sales, but we figured it would help somebody else," Dilda said. "We just appreciate whoever's ordering to support us at the time, so why not help them out?"

Overall, he said his business is down due to the coronavirus. "Everything is definitely cut back," Dilda said. "We did a ton of catering as well, and all the catering has stopped."

Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in the state, Gov. Larry Hogan ordered, to slow the spread of the virus, so meetings with pharmaceutical suppliers where Casa Mia's was putting food on the table are no longer happening.

There are other Casa Mia's locations, but the one in Nottingham — at 8601 Honeygo Boulevard — is the only one running the toilet paper promotion.

"I think we’ll just keep doing it until supplies last," Dilda said Tuesday. "I imagine eventually it's going to be very hard to come across."

He encouraged customers to order from Casa Mia's online because that way, they will not have to exchange money or credit cards in person. People can also call and give credit card information over the phone, he said, to minimize contact.

"Everything gets wiped down multiple times a day," he said of sanitization procedures, which include cleaning door handles, countertops and "being more cautious for everything."

Despite the decline in overall business due to the state mandates, Dilda said: "Everybody has been fine. Of course, we've cut back hours and all that, but we're all staying healthy."

He said that he was appreciative of the relief programs announced Monday by Hogan to help businesses recover from the coronavirus crisis.

"Any funding or anything the governor can do for small businesses would be incredible," Dilda said, "because everybody's hurting at the moment, small and large businesses."