On Monday Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee re-opened its doors to customers after 418 days of contactless service.
Back in April 2020, in response to growing safety and health concerns for staff and customers, owner, Mike Pietrafeso, decided to shift operations at all three of his local eateries (his other locations include Roost Kitchen + Coffee in Stamford and Darien).
Due to the small store footprint and social distancing requirements, the only option at Ada’s was to close the doors and offer food and drink pick-up outside on the front porch.
The past year has been harrowing for many local restaurant owners, with heightened safety protocols, ever changing state and local regulations and shifts in consumer behavior. Pietrafeso notes agility and resilience among the factors that played a key role in his stores’ survival.
“A few months before the pandemic, we had just developed an app, and integrated online ordering and Uber Eats into our operations. So, we were thankfully well positioned to pivot when we needed to,” he said.
Pre-pandemic, 85-90% of Ada’s orders were in-store orders.
For the last year, roughly 99% of their orders were through their app or Uber Eats.
While his Roost locations have allowed for in-store ordering for some time now, with the lifting of capacity and social distancing restrictions on May 19, it has allowed the Ada’s team to finally welcome their beloved customers back into the store.
New pick-up shelves have been installed for those customers that have grown used to ordering ahead, walking in, grabbing their order and heading out in a matter of minutes. Pietrafeso said he believes those who crave convenience will likely continue to adopt this option.
“I don’t think things will ever go back to the way they were pre-pandemic, but I’m happy we can continue to offer the convenience of pick-up for those that still want it, while also offering in-store orders,” he added. “The best part is being able to see the faces of our customers and friends again. We’ve missed everyone and are so thankful they’ve continued to stay with us through it all.”
Visit www.adaskitchenandcoffee to learn more about Ada’s and its sister-stores Roost Kitchen + Coffee, with a new Roost location opening in Cos Cob in 2021.