Curbside Community
The Covid Pandemic has wreaked havoc on countless businesses, particularly local restaurants. Despite the hardships of 2020, there also has been an undercurrent of heartwarming stories of support and ingenuity.
Enter Fairfield County Local Curbside, Takeout & Delivery Restaurants, the brainchild of Fairfielder, Kristyn Golier, and the magic of Facebook. As with so many residents, Kristyn was anxious to support local restaurant owners, so on March 20, 2020, she launched her Facebook page devoted to positive-only reviews and updates about eateries all over the county. The page quickly acquired 1,000 members and has skyrocketed to over 11,000 at press time.
“These businesses need our support more than ever,” states Kristyn. “I paid my way through college working in restaurants and I know what hard work it is. Then, as a parent, I experienced so much generosity whenever I asked for donations to school or charity fundraisers. From local pizzerias like Captain’s to bistros like Aurora’s, I’ve been touched by the owners’ kindness. Our Facebook page is a great way to make sure they get the business they deserve.”
Although Kristyn won’t take credit, one of the many benefits of her restaurant resource was the rise of the “family meal deal.” High-end restaurants and family-owned delis alike began offering multi-course meals for 4-5 people at a bargain price. The concept was wildly successful and even gave diners a chance to try pricier restaurants that they hadn’t visited before. Positive reviews and photos encouraged families to support their local businesses while enjoying fabulous meals—and a well-deserved break from home-cooking in the bleak days of quarantine and the months that followed.
The Covid era of dining introduced many new concepts, including creative outdoor dining and new iterations of their menus. In addition to promoting fully prepared meals, the page identified businesses selling their surplus ingredients and basic supplies. For example, Gruel Britannia had an entire section of their online menu devoted to pantry staples including coveted yeast and flour. The Parker Provisions Box included everything from a dozen eggs, 2 rolls of toilet paper, 2 NY strip steaks, and homemade cookie dough, among other items.
“These businesses need our support more than ever...Our Facebook page is a great way to make sure they get the business they deserve.”
Ironically, new businesses also sprung out of the tough situation. In the case of Bonda, they started selling their lemon-brined fried chicken at the Saturday morning Greenfield Hill Farmer’s Market to supplement their reduced capacity dining room. The chicken developed such a devoted following that they created Bonda Express, a new grab and go service featuring this favorite menu item along with numerous soups, salads, and entrees.
“When Covid hit, we were faced with an unimaginable situation,” says Karen Conroy, owner of The Little Goose. “We didn’t know if we’d survive, but our loyal customers made it possible. Social media has been critical to our success -- a page like Fairfield County Local Curbside, Takeout & Delivery Restaurants has kept our business steady during and after the quarantine. Fairfield is an incredible community… I get emotional when I think of our customers who have posted their photos and rave reviews in the past year.”
