Editorial note: This is the republication of an Inwood Gazette post from four years ago, at the dawn of the COVID-19 Pandemic, on this date in 2020.
March 18, 2020
NYC restaurants, bars, and cafes are following new rules designed to limit the spread of novel coronavirus. The Gazette did a brief, informal neighborhood survey of how it’s impacting our neighborhood today.
Isabel, manager of Guadalupe on W207 Street, told the Gazette that normally her restaurant does about 80/20 eat-in/take out. Under the new rules they can only do take out, which is to say, they will lose up to 80% of the business. They’re closing after today, she said.
The Capitol Diner, Buunni Cafe, McDonalds, Grandpa’s Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, U Like, Yummi Thai, and Fresh Tortillas were open, but for take out only. Inside the Capitol upturned seats were placed upon tables and the seating area of McDonalds was cordoned off with yellow caution tape.
Brad, the owner of Choc on Broadway, said they normally do mostly takeout and the new rules haven’t impacted them that much so far.
Garden Cafe, Cocina Latina, Tubby Hook: all closed.
Last Stop Convenience, Rite Aid, C Town and PJ Wine: all open. Fresh Direct is making deliveries up here. Special thank you to Hero of the Pandemic/Inwood MVP Primo for keeping C Town open and the shelves well-stocked, and for managing a great team of dedicated employees who are literally keeping the neighborhood alive during this crisis. May God bless them all.