Every St. Patrick’s Day, Dan Kenn’s loyal customers flock to Sudbury Coffee Works for his sandwich special of thick-cut, fork-tender, home-cooked corned beef with maple-whiskey mustard, Swiss cheese, and smashed boiled carrots and potatoes on rye bread, then grilled. “It’s like a St. Patrick’s Day Reuben,” says Kenn. “It’s a beautiful sandwich. It always sells out.”

This year, when he went to the grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends, he knew something was wrong. “I couldn’t find any potatoes. There was no chicken, no meat. I’d never seen empty shelves like that.”

After that, everything changed. “It was that feeling of being on a roller coaster when you have absolutely no control and your stomach is in your mouth.” Sudbury Coffee Works went from having several hundred customers a day to a few dozen, then to zero.

Kenn figured out how much money he would lose. “I knew I had to cut hours, cut pay.” He was better positioned than most restaurants to weather the downturn. “I’ve always been a planner, a saver. I figured I’d be able to stick it out for a while.”

Then there were grumblings of toilet paper shortages on a Sudbury Facebook page. “I felt terrible for people who couldn’t get it so I ordered a bunch and sold it for a dollar a roll.” The response was overwhelming. “I felt like a heroin dealer. People would walk in, look right, then left, then approach one of my associates for toilet paper.” Even with a five roll per person limit, for weeks, he sold between three and four hundred rolls. He added paper towels, then meat, then flour and yeast. Very quickly, his business model changed.

“I went from being a restaurant to being a grocery delivery service.” People order online via a website form and can either pick up or have their groceries delivered within town. The only process change with the pandemic is that now everyone wears masks and non-perishable items sit for a few days in storage before they come into the building. As far as in-kitchen sanitizing, he says not much as changed. “In restaurants, food safety has always been a big concern. We’re trained to not mix raw and cooked food, wear gloves, wash hands frequently, and sanitize all surfaces. This is normal for our industry and since I’m here every day, I can make sure we keep to these standards.”

In addition to take-out and grocery delivery, Kenn recently introduced family-style meal options that change weekly. “Grocery delivery keeps the lights on, but I’m in the business of cooking and I miss it.”

From the panic and uncertainty of the early days, Kenn says people seem to be settling in. “There’s more traffic on the street and we have a steady flow of people that pick up a food order then hang at our tables. Having the outdoor space is a real plus right now.”

The restaurant business is, at the best of times, a challenge. “There’s always uncertainty,” he says. “Things are always changing but nothing in my thirty-plus years of cooking prepared me for this.”

Now that in-restaurant dining is again allowed, Kenn is ready. “I’m not worried at all. For most people, it’s become second nature to stay a certain distance from each other.” He’s placed decals on the floor to remind patrons to distance and tables are six feet apart. Monday morning has shown a slow trickle of customers. “It’s so great to see people again.”

The support of the community has made it easier. “Everyone’s really stepped up, not just for me, but for many of the businesses in town. We’ve had groups order lunches for hospital workers, for police, for the fire department, I’ve sold a ton of gift cards. All that stuff really makes a difference.”

The appreciation runs both ways. Lee R. is a loyal customer. “Dan has always supported our students’ fundraisers and in a time of real need he came to the rescue yet again with his deliveries of amazing food and groceries and sanitizing wipes. He not only runs a terrific business but he’s probably one of the most thoughtful and selfless people I have met in town. I am very grateful for him and his employees.”

“What Dan and SCW is doing for our community has been literally and figuratively a life-saver,” says Lauren H. “It goes beyond paper products. It’s a great business during normal times and knowing he’s there now is reassuring. My family is eating healthier because the food is so good.”

Dee T. says Dan Kenn has always thought out of the box. “When single use water bottles were were banned in Sudbury, he partnered with business owners and provided spring water and reusable water bottles for $1. When his business was forced to temporarily shut down due to state Covid guidelines. Daniel provided the community with contactless grocery delivery. For those immune compromised or too busy working and homeschooling, his delivery service makes him a superhero during these challenging times. He is is extremely humble, and his efforts should be celebrated as he has worked tirelessly for our community. Sudbury is truly lucky to have him.”

This pandemic will, at some point, be in our rear view mirror. Your favorite restaurants are struggling. Countless have shuttered. Order take-out. Buy gift cards. Help keep the businesses you love stay afloat so when this is all over, we can share a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and a well-deserved laugh with the people who provide the backdrop to our special moments and add spice to our lives.

Check out Sudbury Coffee Works offerings at: https://www.sudburycoffeeworks.com/

As If Owning a Restaurant Weren't Hard Enough....