How is Nattspil doing?
We’re finally open (for take out only) after 10 weeks idle. We’ve been open for 9 days now (opened Fri 5/29).
How’s the staff?
To me, they seem super upbeat and happy to be working, spending time with their co-worker family, and interacting with our customer family. They all sound hopeful. I just love the picture the Sunday night crew posted last night on social media (above). Black Lives Matter and the current protests are very much in our hearts and on our minds.
What’s different?
So many things. We’ve done take out before if someone stopped by in person and wanted food to go. Now, we have a phone 608-285-9659, a new website, and the ability to order online We’ve been ‘off the grid’ for 16+ years. It’s kind of strange joining the 21st century. It’s also different closing at 11pm instead of bar time and no djs for now either. And yes, masks, gloves, no contact working all the time can be pretty intense.
Is all this change a good idea for Nattspil?
I sure hope so. When we opened 16 years ago, we placed a very high value on removing anything that would detract from our in house customer attention and conversation. Televisions, neon signs, telephones, point of sale systems, accepting credit cards were all things we removed from our environment. A part of our identity and Nattspil culture and values are really wrapped up in these decisions. Now, to keep our staff and customers safe, taking online orders by phone and credit cards seems the most sensible option (you can still pay with cash, too).
Are you going to open the restaurant to regular service soon?
Unsure. Definitely not until it is safe. Frankly, we’re a tiny space that only seats 50 customers at capacity. With 6 feet of safe space for everyone and a 25% capacity rule, even with the best safety measures, making our space safe isn’t a possiblity. As guidelines change to 50% capacity we’ll review.
What about outdoor seating?
We’re working on ways that we might be able to offer more outdoor seating, and if our plans work out, we might be able to open for service a little sooner.
Is Nattspil and staff going to make it through this?
I really think so. We were able to get some help from PPP (Payment Protection Program) to help cover our payroll and rent expenses for May and June. We’ve been able to offer work now to about 1/2 of our staff.
Servers are the ones most affected, as without any tables full of customers there just isn’t any work for them. Being able to offer take out has allowed us to reopen and offer some work to them but it’s only a fraction of what we do and so we are very anxious to offer regular dining, late night dining, bar service and our wonderful djs again soon. For now, every day is frankly less than break even, so every take out order made by you really means a lot. Thank you for your support.
We also have great Nattspil friends who have been donating to our Nattspil Family Relief Fund for helping our staff with groceries and rent. Thank you so much. Every little bit helps.
What can I do to help?
Order take out, (608-285-9659) as often as you can. You can order your food to pick up anytime we are open up to one day in advance. When you stop by, please consider purchasing a digital gift card (we’ll have physical cards in just a few days too).
Support all the other small independant restaurants in our neighborhood. Buy their take out, too. We are a service industry restaurant, and a very inportant part of our customer base works in the restaurants near us. Buy from them and then they have money to come buy from us, too.
Finally, stay safe. Practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands often. Together, we can put this pandemic behind us. Love everyone, be kind. We’re all fighting this in different ways. Together, we all win.
– Prentice