When Wollongong went into lockdown on the weekend Stan Crinis, of Diggies and North Beach Kiosk, swiftly put a plan in place to retain work for staff and keep his customers satisfied.
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Mr Crinis knew what to do to meet COVID-19 NSW Public Health Order requirements and by Monday found he had surplus food which he gave away to 200 lucky customers.
He said there had been many people around on Sunday on the first day of lockdown but several were not wearing masks so he had handed some out and told people what they needed to do.
By day two there were far fewer people at North Beach, but everyone knew the regulations and were already wearing masks when they visited eateries.
Many were doing their exercise and then grabbing a takeaway meal from the kiosk or Diggies on the way home.
Mr Crinis said business was slower at Diggies Kiama than in Wollongong even though the seaside town is not in lockdown.
"In Kiama we are doing what we were doing late last week in Wollongong," he said.
"But you would think Kiama was in lockdown more than North Wollongong at the moment. It is like a ghost town.
"At the moment we are open as normal with four square-metre spacing, everyone wearing masks and a full menu available. But probably in the next few days we will consider transitioning to just takeaway or a reduced menu."
In Wollongong the plan for the next two weeks is to sell takeaway meals from Diggies and North Beach Kiosk.
Mr Crinis said the kiosk was well set up for COVID but was a lot quieter than it normally would be at this time of year.
"On Monday morning we did a free bacon and egg roll for people coming into the kiosk for takeaway," he said.
"Obviously we got caught out with stock for the expected busy weekend to start the school holidays.
"We had ordered a lot of bacon, eggs and rolls on Friday. We put it on social media on Sunday night and I think we gave away almost 200 bacon and egg rolls on Monday morning."
Mr Crinis said people were patient, wore masks and kept a safe social distance during the three-hour giveaway between 7am and 10am.
"And it wasn't all at once," he said.
Mr Crinis said everyone needs to wear a mask to order and collect food.
"We are also set up online so people can order ahead," he said.
Mr Crinis said the plan for Diggies Wollongong is to roll out takeaway specials along with having the normal menu being available for takeaway only.
He is confident he can keep all staff employed during the lockdown.
"We have been able to spread shifts between the casuals without having to stand anyone down or put anyone off," he said.
"And two of our chefs were happy to have some leave."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
