Cd'A Downtown to offer curbside to restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops

As the coronavirus wears on downtown Coeur d’Alene, its restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops have marshalled together to join a collaborative curbside project to better serve customers during the era of the coronavirus.

“We just wanted to do our part from the social distancing aspect,” said Tom Kane, general manager of Sweet Lou’s on Front Street. “We want people to be safe when they order the food we offer.”

The curbside pick-up project, helmed by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, unites 26 businesses in their efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 241,000 worldwide, killing almost 10,000. The pandemic has shuttered eateries around the globe. While Idaho is one of the least-infected states in the union, businesses here are feeling the pinch: Most coffee shops have removed seating to eliminate social gatherings in their lobbies, some bakeries are reportedly getting cancellation requests from already-postponed weddings, and several restaurants are deciding between scaling back operations to take-out-only options and closing their doors altogether.

“This is hitting some businesses harder than others,” Emily Boyd of the Downtown Association said Thursday. “I can tell you I’ve spoken with some business owners who haven’t had foot traffic inside their stores in days, but I’ve been encouraged that they’ve been able to adjust their business model to see some curbside business.”

Boyd said the new program includes signage — courtesy of the city — that designates certain parking spots outside each downtown eatery for curbside delivery. Patrons can access the special Association website, www.cdadowntown.com/curbside , click on the desired restaurant’s link or call the shop’s phone number, place their order, pay and go. Once the customer arrives at the restaurant of their choosing, an employee will run food out to the vehicle.

“We’ve been allotted the two spaces closest to our curb,” Kane said. “Those will be marked with signage. Additionally, we have six spots outside for our customers who choose to come in.”

Boyd said the signs will likely be posted March 24 or March 25. The program requires a debit or credit card payment, making the entire transaction touchless for patron and employee alike.

“It’s just minimizing the chances on these trips for any germs,” Boyd said.

She added the list of 26 businesses may change, as both economic dynamics and the status of the coronavirus itself is fluid. She also urged people to follow the guidelines set forth by the nation’s health organizations, which includes washing hands and maintaining social distancing. But Boyd also said the goal of the program isn’t limited to keeping restaurants connected to their customers during trying times.

“If we can get the message out that downtown is still open, and that people can visit their favorite businesses safely, that will help,” she said. “If we all stop supporting these businesses, they may not be able to stay open or — even worse — they might not be able to re-open.”