Some coffee shops in Downtown Phoenix are working around the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their businesses up and running.
Many businesses and companies are having to transition to new processes and practices to stay open while the virus has caused a decrease in customers.
Songbird Coffee House is still providing coffee, tea, pastries and light breakfast options during this time, though all orders are for take-away only.
“We fervently wash and sanitize all surfaces. We no longer have a communal water jug available and have pulled all syrups from the condiment bar,” owner Erin Westgate said.
Westgate explained that Songbird does not do deliveries, but the business is taking phone orders and running it out to the customer’s car.
“A lot of people come for the environment we have created and to connect with the community. They now only get to experience it for the few minutes it takes for us to make a drink or toast a sandwich,” Westgate said.
Fillmore Coffee has also remained open during the outbreak. The shop has decided to reduce store hours and are only doing takeout orders.
Co-owner of Fillmore Coffee Tristan Davies explained that they are also minimizing contact with customers during payment processes.
“We are sanitizing all areas constantly during the day and high use areas between each customer,” he said.
Davies also said that they have had a definite decline in customers, losing about 60-70% of business.
Fillmore is offering delivery to the apartment complexes and small businesses that are around the shop, and Davies said that their team is constantly brainstorming ways to increase business during this time.
“Please keep supporting local businesses during this time. We are all struggling and are still providing great products and services to our customers in a safe and sanitary way,” Davies said.
In addition to Fillmore Coffee and Song Bird Coffee House, Jobot Coffee and Bar has also managed to stay open with a bit of a twist.
Jobot owner John Sagasta explained that they have been taking all the precautions the state has recommended, such as pick-up only orders.
“We are being extra cautious and washing our hands after every transaction,” Sagasta said.
But, Jobot Coffee and Bar has also decided to switch up their operations and turn their business into somewhat of a market.
After seeing what was happening with local stores such as Safeway running out of product, Sagasta said they realized that they had products that people need.
“We have eggs, milk, cheese, toilet paper, produce… basically everything we used in the kitchen, we had,” Sagasta said.
Jobot Coffee and Bar has decided to sell some of these items out the door, bodega style.
They are personally delivering to the four apartment complexes around their location, which are Roosevelt Point, Linear Apartments, ILuminate Apartments, and Roosevelt Apartment Homes. They are not using any third party delivery services.
Jobot has also partnered up with a grocery subscription that happens once a week for $30. The package is full of fresh produce and items from their own company as well.
Contact the reporter at jjarend@asu.edu.
