FAQs: Our Response to COVID-19

UPDATE: 05.14.2020
10:30 PM

Please note: We will be keeping this page (coronavirus.blackberry.cafe) with the most up-to-date information. We are also making every effort to keep our online menu up-to-date.

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT SAFETY MEASURES?

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OUR TEAM IS COMMITTED TO…

• Monitor the advice and guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and train our team regarding.
• Enforce our existing policies for employee sickness and sick leave (with additional precautions, including).
• Follow the EPA’s recommendations for disinfectants that are effective against the virus.
• Implement heightened sanitation and hand-washing procedures for all employees.
• Provide additional options to our customers for washing and drying hands (as supply is available).
• Suspend “bring-your-own-mug” program and discount until further notice.
• Wearing masks at all times per our state’s orders.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO OUR GUESTS:

• As much as we love you, please, please, please stay home if you are even a little bit sick.
• Please wash your hands for the recommended 20 seconds on a frequent basis.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue, and then wash your hands.
• Avoid customary greetings (i.e. handshakes) and celebrate the lost art of waving.
• Please wear required face covering or mask per our current state regulations.

CAN I GET INFECTED WITH COVID-19 BY FOOD? 

The most common question circulating our cafe this past week has been whether or not it is possible to contract COVID-19/Coronavirus through food?

Currently, there is no indication that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 can be transmitted through food. This said, it does pass via hard surfaces, which is why we are implementing the following procedures:

UPDATE: 05.14.2020

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT HOURS AND OFFERINGS?

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Adjusted Hours:
7a – 3p (both locations)

Breakfast Served:
All day. (both locations)

Delivery Hours:
10a – 2p (both locations)

Catering:
Still asking for 48 hrs notice, but let us know if in need of something last minute and we’ll see what is possible.

Public Restrooms:
All restrooms are currently closed. Please plan accordingly.

HOW CAN I ORDER AND RECEIVE FOOD?

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OPTION #1: IN-STORE ORDERING AND TAKEOUT*

• You can walk into the store and place your order for takeout.
• You can order online beforehand and then come in-store for pickup.
• You must leave the space once your order has been received.

*   Please maintain the recommended 6-feet of social distancing at all times in-store and wear appropriate face covering/mask.
** No more than 10 people are allowed in-store at any time. If you see 6-7 people in-store, we ask that you remain outside until someone leaves. Thank you!

OPTION #2: ONLINE TO-GO WITH IN-STORE OR CURBSIDE PICKUP

• You can place your order via our website: order.blackberry.cafe.
• You can place your order via the Toast Takeout App (iPhone only).
• You can then come in-store to pickup your order (it will be prepaid and awaiting with your name on the bag).
• If you prefer to stay in your car, you may request Curbside Pickup by texting or calling us at 630.258.9280 (Glen Ellyn) or 630.358.9281‬ (La Grange) upon arrival. Simply text us with your name, make and model of your car, and your parked location (specifically which street). If you do not get a response within a couple of minutes, you can call the same number. Thank you!

OPTION #3: ONLINE TO-GO WITH DELIVERY

Delivery will only be available from 10a – 2p for the time being. The cost is $3.00 per delivery with a $10 minimum order. The delivery fee is waived for all orders over $25.

• Place your order via our website: order.blackberry.cafe.
• Place your order via the Toast Takeout App (iPhone only).
• Select ”Delivery” and enter your address. 
• Please note: If delivery is not available for your address or it is beyond the delivery window, it will default to “pickup.”
• Please include any special delivery instructions when you place your order.

Please call us at 630.479.9149 (Glen Ellyn) or 708.571.2221 (La Grange) with any questions and thanks for your patience as we adapt!

HOW HAS THIS IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS?

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As most businesses, we have been greatly impacted by our new reality. It has forced us to pause, scramble, and reflect – all at the same time. And while numerous changes, shifts, and understandings have emerged, the following priorities have stood out:

PRIORITY #1
Our first priority is… the safety of our employees, community and guests. We affirm the ongoing decisions at the State and Federal level that are attempting to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. And we believe that the precautions and changes we have made will certainly help this at a local level. This said, it does require the participation from everyone. See details below.

PRIORITY #2:
Our second priority is… to adapt in the most creative way possible in order to minimize the financial impact of our wonderful 100+ employees while also positioning ourselves to exist and thrive once the crisis is over.

PRIORITY #3:
Lastly, we want to emphasize our concern and support for the community at large. We understand that many of you are just as impacted by this new reality. And while we don’t know every story at this time, we do know that our friends at neighboring restaurants and retailers are also feeling the squeeze and uncertainty. First, if you are aware of someone that is in need of food and is struggling to afford it at this time, we want to know. You can join us by helping buy meals for our local homeless population. Second, we have recently help form a local alliance of restauranteurs and bar owners called Open Doors Hospitality that are working hard to support one another. We invite you to support this collective and spread the love around.

UPDATE: 03.15.2020

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In Response to the State of IL Restaurant Declaration:

In the case that you missed it, we received a mandate this afternoon to close all dine-in options as of Tuesday (3/17). While we have been anticipating additional measures, we were not expecting this level of action at this time. At the same time, we understand that additional measures need to be made and trust those that are guiding these decisions.

As you may guess, we do have a bit of  concern regarding the anticipated revenue loss and our ability to keep our employees paid. At this time, we are making every attempt to do so by getting creative with solutions such as curbside pickup, delivery options, and back-burner projects. While our plans are shifting on an hourly basis, here is the current plan:

OUR MENU

We will still be offering our full menu for all pickup and delivery, but we will also be enhancing our “Grab-N-Go” and “Meals-To-Go” options. Meaning, we are thinking through what will work best at home – that’s healthy, easy, and yummy!

PARTING THOUGHTS

As a reminder, the COVID-19/Coronavirus cannot be transmitted via food. Regardless, our team will be following proper sanitation protocols as we prepare the food, handle food, and deliver food.

We would like to encourage our community to support local businesses as it is appropriate during this crisis. This is not merely a matter of supporting local economies, but of supporting each other, as human beings. Yes, we want you to support Blackberry as much as it makes sense, but we also understand that we are not the only small business in town – nor are we the only people that are impacted by the pandemic. Existing within a community means that we operate as a community – not in isolation or in competition. If we can be of any help to you, we would like to know what we can do.

Please encourage your circles of influence to support the community in whatever way makes sense over the next few weeks. We know that we will be okay. It may require a few creative solutions, but we will be okay.

Thank you for your continued support, love, and partnership.

UPDATE: 03.12.2020

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DEAR FRIENDS + COMMUNITY,

We are guessing that this isn’t the first response regarding our new reality over the next few weeks. Regardless, we do feel compelled to communicate a few things. After a meeting with our management team earlier this week, we began implementing additional preventative measures (as of Tuesday, March 10th) in preparation for the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus – including ramping up our capacity for online orders and easy pickup. The procedures are listed below. But first…

RESTAURANTS + YOUR HELP (in General)

There was an article in the Washington Post this week that addressed some of the concerns that have emerged in regards to visiting public spaces, particularly restaurants. In short, the article emphasized that health experts believe that restaurants are “just as safe – perhaps even safer — than other public spaces.” There are a few reasons noted for this statement, the main one being that restaurants are already required to abide by very strict standards in order to protect against contamination and the spread of disease.

This is true. And it’s true for almost every restaurant in our area (unless they are intentionally neglecting). But with this said, we do believe it is necessary for both our employees and customers to take additional measures in order to help prevent further cross-contamination, which we have addressed below.

CAN I GET INFECTED BY FOOD? 

The most common question circulating our cafe this past week has been whether or not it is possible to contract COVID-19/Coronavirus through food?

Currently, there is no indication that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 can be transmitted through food. This said, it does pass via hard surfaces, which is why we are implementing the following procedures:

LET’S BE HONEST…

Many of us have concern over how this will impact our lives and businesses over the next few weeks, us included. We understand that we are a part of a local community and economy that comes with responsibility. We also understand that local establishments and coffeehouses, such as ours, play a unique role  – sure, a place for food and drink, but also to meet, gather, laugh, and share.

While we shudder at the idea of “social distancing” as a common practice, we are asking that all customers take extra precaution in the upcoming weeks when it comes to shared public spaces, such as ours – including avoiding any person-to-person contact. We promise that we are grateful and love each of you and will be happy to hug, shake, and maybe even dance once this has passed! In the meantime, we will be here ready to serve with the aforementioned procedures until there are reasons to do otherwise.

AVOIDING PUBLIC OUTINGS ALL TOGETHER?

For those that are wanting to minimize public outings, we are ramping up our efforts for even easier online ordering and delivery. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Your friends,
Blackberry Management