Restaurant owners taking a leap of faith in Lafayette

A tale of two types of restaurants is playing out in Tippecanoe County.

Some are struggling, but others are opening up shop and even expanding.

Are struggling, but others are opening and even expanding.

News 18's joe paul talked with local restaurant owners about setting up shop during the pandemic.

Nat pop rusty taco is ready to open on the southside of lafayette.

But operations manager corey will says it's an uncertain time for restaurant owners setting up shop.

"having been in the restaurant business for a number of years, obviously this is one of the most challenging times that we've ever had in the industry."

It's no secret that restaurants are among the businesses hit hardest by covid-19.

But that's not stopping owners from taking a leap of faith.

"so excited when we got our certificate of occupation to open to find out th e governor had shut the state down."

Debbie mcgregor is the manager of revolution barbeque.

The downtown restaurant opened in march... ...just as the state closed restaurants for dine-in business.

The smokehouse shares owners with sweet revolution bake shop.

"we've been through different struggles and it was just kind of like, ok, what do we gotta do to make it work?

And so we're always trying new things."

Those new things include takeout and delivery.

Mcgregor says the restuarant has survived thanks to support from the community.

"and during the first two weeks, we sold out three nights, at least three to four nights, we sold out."

Now the restaurant is transitioning to its original dine-in model.

That's as lafayette closes downtown streets on weekends to expand outdoor seating.

Mcgregor says that's the right move.

"we are excited about the outdoor dining.

We're going to have a few tables out there and hopefully that will bring a few more people to taste our food."

But those who choose to dine indoors can expect a sanitary experience.

"we were clean before, so one good thing about covid is restuarants, we're used to being clean.

Eighty-five percent of independent restaurants could close due to covid-19.

That's according to a recent report by the independent restaurant coalition.

A local state