(WXYZ) — Surviving the winter is the focus of many local restaurant owners now. Many are making pandemic pivots while trying anything they can to keep their business open and their staff employed. And they're doing it in creative ways.
No indoor dining means they have to redefine how they do business. Even BYOB has a whole new meaning, which now means "bring your own blanket."
There is a slew of pandemic pivots such as tents and igloos, heating lamps and fire pits, with meal kits on the menu and cocktails to-go as small business owners search for the recipe to success in lockdown.
Carry-out is key for Union Joints 8 in Oakland County, and they've gotten creative offering unique family-sized holiday meal kits.
They also sell house-made holiday pies for pre-order and cocktails to-go in a can.
Grey Ghost in Detroit helps elevate your home celebration with their new cocktail kits. All of the garnishes are artfully prepared.
A brand new heated patio welcomes guests to stay and holiday meals are ready to take away.
At The Detroit Shipping Company in Midtown, it's about the vibe. The parking lot has been transformed into a winter chalet. A tent with socially distanced tables and heaters are inside.
There are also fire pits, and carryout is offered but guests are invited to sit and stay awhile.
Reporter Jennifer Ann Wilson asked viewers their favorite restaurant pivots and there were a ton of responses, from carhop-style serving to Santa delivering meals.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.