CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla.(NCC News) – A Wakulla County business owner will never forget March 20 at 2:36 p.m. Terri Robinson, Lindy’s Fried Chicken co-owner, received a call telling her to shut down her restaurant’s dining room because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I was panicking because I thought ‘this is it,’” Robinson said.
Robinson and her husband have owned the restaurant for 24 years and thought the coronavirus pandemic would close their doors for good.
“We don’t have the luxury of the big companies to have someone fund money to us to bail us out,” Robinson said.
The owner quickly strategized how to stay afloat. Lindy’s moved to carry-out and curbside options only, and her family stepped up to assist with the daily operations. The Wakulla County community also supported by purchasing food more regularly.
“It was scary,” Robinson said. “It’s still scary because you just never know.”
The small business owner’s nervousness comes from Florida’s record-breaking virus spike. Florida reported nearly 15,300 cases from Saturday, July 11, which was the most cases reported in a single day in any state. The state has reported at least 9,000 confirmed daily cases since then.
Robinson feels safe serving customers inside her restaurant again because Wakulla County’s confirmed cases is below 300. Although, she’s still worried her or an employee may contract the virus from inside or outside the restaurant as Florida’s cases rise. This could cause her restaurant to close again.
“If the numbers keep going up, everybody, I think would eventually have it and then you would have to close down,” Robinson said.
To ensure safety, the restaurant keeps hand sanitizer out and employees constantly clean tables and walkways. Employees are also asked to stay home if they feel sick.
