City Island businesses cope with coronavirus
BY JASON COHEN
COVID-19 has hurt many
restaurants in New York, forcing
some to close their doors,
while others are doing takeout
and delivery only.
Two business owners spoke
with the Bronx Times about
how the pandemic is affecting
them.
Clipper Coffee, 274 City
Island Ave., has been closed
since March 21. Owner Peter
Gennari, 41, worked on Wall
Street from 2000 to 2016 and
witnessed 9/11 and the recession
fi rst hand, but explained
this is different because he
runs a store now.
“When you have your
own business it’s much more
hands on,” he said. “On Wall
Street you depend a lot on the
economy and what’s going on
there.”
At fi rst he was going to remain
open, but quickly realized
health was more important
than money. Fortunately,
his employees are fi nancially
stable and could go few weeks
without a paycheck, he said.
Gennari said it’s tough because
he has a lot of loyal customers
since he opened a few
years ago.
“I have to worry about my
customers and make sure
they’re safe and taken care
of,” he said. “I think we all
joked about a complete lock
down. I don’t think me or
anyone else believed it would
come to this.”
He stressed he plans to remain
closed until he hears
word from the governor,
mayor or medical professionals
that it’s safe to open. However,
Gennari is worried that
many places will stay permanently
shuttered.
“You could see it wipe out
a lot of smaller business,” he
said. “There’s a real underlying
sense of support that the
people of City Island have for
the businesses here.”
One place that has stayed
afl oat is the City Island Diner.
Owner Susan Hayes said it is
only doing take out or delivery
using a “skeleton crew,” but
business is down 50 percent.
She has had the eatery for
22 years, so it has gone through
rough times like 9/11 and the
recession in 2008, but today no
one knows when things will
return to normalcy.
Clipper Coffee in City Island, which is now closed due to the corona virus. Photo courtesy Peter Gennari
great trying to support us,”
Hayes remarked.
fi rst heard about the virus,
she didn’t know what to expect.
risk to stay open, but feels it’s
important to be there for the
neighborhood.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,14 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2020 BTR
“The community’s been
Hayes explained when she
She understands it’s a
“The people need it,” she
commented. “City Island is
a one-and-a-half mile island.
We’re basically the only food
and diner on the island.”
She told the Bronx Times
they are in the process of putting
up a website so people can
order online. With so many
loyal customers, especially
the elderly who come for their
coffee and breakfast, it would
have been tough to shut the
doors, she said.
“I’m just hoping it ends
sooner rather than later,” she
said. “They’re very grateful
that we’re open. What’s more
important is that everyone
does what they’re supposed to
do and do the social distancing
and stay at home.”
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