Jeff Grant, co-owner of Hopscotch Coffee stands on the patio of their B-Line location next to the new pick-up station for takeout orders. (Kayte Young/WFIU)
Hopscotch Coffee On the B-Line Trail in Bloomington is a place where meeting, sitting together and enjoying a carefully curated interior space is part of the vision. Jeff Grant, co-owner of Hopscotch Coffee and Rainbow Bakery*has been asking himself tough questions about what remains when you strip that away.
In the early days, when social distancing was first recommended, he found himself inside the cafe on night, moving tables and chairs apart, so customers could spread out more. He said it felt antithetical to everything they try to do at Hopscotch, i.e. bring people together.
By the next day, they decided to close completely and regroup. They stayed closed for more than two weeks while he and his business partner, Jane Cupersmith assessed the situation and came up with a plan.
When they opened up, they did so with extreme caution. Employees had the option to stay home if they chose, and they took all the precautions to keep staff and customers safe. They take orders and payment online or over the phone, they prepare the order and customers pick up on the covered patio. It is a two person operation, with one employee in the middle of the room, near the door, and a barista preparing the drinks behind the counter. They are able to carry out the process while maintaining the required distance between each other and with customers. The orders are placed on a table on the patio, and the employee goes back inside behind a closed door. All staff wear masks and gloves.
In the interview, Jeff talks about the connection he feels with his staff and the commuity of regulars at the coffee shop, and why he didn't want to take any chances when it came to their health and safety.
They are doing a brisk enough carry-out business to justify staying open, and Jeff says they have heard from some hospital staff how much they appreciate being able to order a coffee to-go during these stressful times.
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*note: Rainbow Bakery is offering delivery service for orders placed a day in advance only. There is no store pick up option or same day ordering.
