CINCINNATI — The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routines throughout the country, but in the midst of it all, Brown Bear Bakery has worked to find a way to keep brunch traditions alive.
The bakery may look a little different to patrons, with its new signs offering helpful directions and white painted dots on the ground intended to keep customers six feet apart while standing in line, but its menu and offerings are still the same.
"Safety is the priority and if we can't do this in a safe way, we won't do it," said Chaske Haberkos, co-owner of the Brown Bear Bakery.
Folks ordered ahead of time and stood in line around the block to pick up their favorite brunch meals Saturday morning.
Customers in line said the "stay at home" order means they've been looking to stock up on snacks and goodies like treats from the bakery. The bakery strived to reconfigure their business model to serve the community in a time when local staples like the Brown Bear Bakery are struggling to make ends meet.
Over at Wild Eggs, manager Rachel Taylor said things haven't been the same since the "stay at home" order was issued. Now, with take-out service only, she's working to reassure her customers the company is being safe.
"For somebody who's a little hesitant, I would just let them know I spent all day cleaning and sanitizing things," said Taylor. "If it's been touched, it gets wiped off right away, we all wear gloves."
Both eateries have online ordering available for customers, and Wild Eggs is available on DoorDash for those who would prefer to stay in and have brunch brought to them.