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ASHEVILLE - Governors in five states — California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington — have closed bars, restaurants and wineries in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
On March 16, Macon County Public Health announced the first known presumptive positive case of the novel coronavirus — from a person who had traveled to Buncombe County last week.
On March 16, the Buncombe County Health Department asked, but have not mandated, restaurants and bars to proactively limit services to takeout and delivery.
"We are acutely aware of the impacts and secondary impacts decisions like these this will have on our local independent business and on our economy," said Fletcher Tove, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.
"But in light of these unprecedented events, it is in our community's best interest to follow guidance from the CDC, our state Department of Health and Human Services and our local health officials to limit congregations of people."
Businesses, he said, need to plan now.
More: North Carolina coronavirus: Buncombe County confirms first case in visitor
The Market Place announces temporary closure
Almost immediately thereafter, a local chef announced plans to temporarily close his restaurant, though the decision was one he'd been mulling over, he said.
Owner William Dissen has decided to temporarily shutter The Market Place, which has served the Asheville community for more than 30 years, through economic downturns and other challenges.
"It's been a very difficult few days for all of us," Dissen said in an email. "This crisis has come fast and furious and has taken all by surprise."
The Market Place will close March 16-30, or until Dissen deems it prudent to reopen.
"As a chef, I tend to work in a linear mindset and have a sense of 'mise en place' for everything in the kitchen and in life," Dissen said in a statement, evoking a French kitchen term that means "everything in its place."
For a chef, it's a way to have control in the chaos of a kitchen.
"This is an instance where much of what is happening is out of my control," Dissen said.
Dissen called for the community to help stop the spread of the virus.
More: Coronavirus March 13: What you should know in Asheville, Buncombe
"I feel that we as a community need to band together to help break the cycle of this current COVID-19 pandemic by practicing social distancing, and staying at home with our friends, family and loved ones."
He called the decision the hardest of his career.
But ultimately, he said, it's the right one.
"We are an industry leader, and it is important to set the example for our colleagues and industry peers to do the right thing in the midst of this crisis," he said.
Employees will keep their jobs at The Market Place, he added.
"We will provide as many resources as possible to help our team receive not only unemployment compensation and resources, but any and all other government assistance programs that are now available and will come available during this time."
He reminded the public to check in on each other. "Above all, stay safe and think positive. We will get through this together."
Copper Crown closes dining room
Copper Crown will soon close down its dining room, but not its kitchen, said Kate Bannasch, general manager and co-owner of the East Asheville restaurant.
"We truly believe that isolation and containment are the only real strategies to properly address the spread of Covid-19," she said. "We are increasingly uncomfortable continuing to operate as a public space wherein folks may possibly infect each other, despite our best efforts."
The kitchen will remain open, and the restaurant will continue to implement stringent hygienic and cleaning policies while transitioning to delivery service.
Beginning March 18, the restaurant will provide no-contact delivery through Kickback AVL, a local delivery service.
No contact takeout can also be picked up on the restaurant's patio. Call 828-505-7531.
"There has been an incredible amount of thought and stress that has gone into making this decision, but we truly believe in our heart of hearts that it is the right thing to do," said Bannasch.
Cecilia's Kitchen closing dining room
Cecilia's Kitchen in North Asheville also announced plans to close temporarily.
The North Asheville storefront at 961 Merrimon Ave. will no longer be open to the public starting March 17.
The restaurant will serve out of its truck at 870 Merrimon Ave., in front of Stein Mart, in the near future, said owner Cecilia Marchesini.
“Our main goal is to try to abide by social distancing suggestions while still providing our community with healthy, homemade meal options.”
The restaurant will also offer bulk frozen empanadas, tamales and quarts of soup for at-home meals. Orders can be placed at 828-575-4211.
City Bakery locations
Asheville City Bakery locations closed their dining rooms as of March 16, though the bakeries remain open for takeout, with phone and online ordering and parking lot pickup available.
The business will soon offer delivery, with that news to be found on social media and the restaurant's website as the service launches. City Bakery hours are now 7 a.m.-3 p.m. until further notice.
Closed: several bars and breweries
Sierra Nevada Mills River taprooms, tours and other public spots will remain closed through March 22. During the shutdown, the brewery staff will sanitize and reconfigure public spaces to allow more space for social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing all equipment and surfaces.
Little Jumbo: This North Asheville bar closed March 16, and will remain shuttered for at least two weeks, "possibly longer depending on the recommendations of the CDC and our local leaders," according to a Facebook post. "It is everyone's responsibility to keep our beautiful community safe; especially the most vulnerable among us."
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information comes in.
___
Mackensy Lunsford is an award-winning staff writer for the Asheville Citizen Times, former professional line cook and one-time restaurant owner.
Reach me: mlunsford@citizentimes.com.
Read more: Subscribe to the Citizen Times here. Subscribe to my newsletter here.
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