The Popular Food Chain Riverdale Tavern Survives Amidst COVID-19 Breakout

One of the historic food chains of western Gratiot County is Riverdale Tavern. The 103 yr old bar and restaurant have overcome some of the greatest crises like the Spanish Flu 1918, 2 World Wars, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and others.

But today it has been experiencing the deadly one of everything the Corona Virus outbreak.

Earlier last month the Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer released an official notice to shut down all the hotels and bars in the state giving an exception to take away and door delivery services.

Besides, the 4^th in the line of the Tavern clan Kassandra Renneberg has been framing new guidelines for her restaurant.

She said: “We’re still alive and kicking.” “I’m very thankful. I said if I could make $500 a day to pay the two employees who are still working, and pay for the lights and heat, we could make it. There’s been only one day that didn’t happen.”

The bar has been kept open for all the 7 days but the timings have been cut down from 3 to 8 p.m

She continued saying: “At first I tried being open for lunch but it wasn’t worthwhile,” Renneberg said. “I was only making about $40.”

Almost 90% of the revenue of the Riverdale is from food and it is quite familiar with the diners who come especially for its fish. Other than fish there is chicken, shrimp and frog legs, battered gizzards, etc.

Now all these can be availed as taking away alongside beer, wine, and Keno.

Kassandra also stated that: “We can’t do liquor,” and “diners also can’t have a beer inside while they wait for their order, but they can take it outside and drink it at the picnic table.”

Before the pandemic breakout, Tavern was making an approximate of $2000 a day and twice on the weekends.

Renneberg added that: “Right now the priority is just to keep everyone safe,” and “we have a sanitizer station at the register. So far everyone has been wonderful.”