Beer in Brooklyn?

A little over a month ago, permission was given by NY governor Andrew Cuomo for stores to sell alcoholic beverages “for takeout from the licensed premises or delivered to the customer’s residence.”    According to NYC Brewers Guild Ann Reilly, the NY State Liquor Authority responded to the challenge COVID-19 is posing for these businesses and substantially relaxed takeaway, to-go and packaging regulations.

One such brewery is Brooklyn’s Threes Brewing which is “aspir[ing] to connect people to each other over good beer.”  Since COVID-19 is preventing that possibility within the brewery’s bars, they are still committed to their customers in their homes.  They can buy beer for “delivery, shipping or no touch pick-up.”

Threes Brewing CEO and co-founder Joshua Stylman reported that because of what’s been happening, he had to lay off the majority of his staff.  Those who remained took a dip in salaries.  The work that is being done however is same-day delivery in New York City and shipping throughout New York State. Pickup is also available.

The NYC Brewers Guild is now regularly updating their website with information on what local breweries are allowed to do in real time.

Local Eateries Partner with the LEE Initiative

Chef Greg Baxtrom of Brooklyn’s Olmsted restaurant discusses how his partnership with The LEE Initiative is assisting his working since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Kindness in the time of COVID-19

There is a worldwide crisis.  Coronavirus.  COVID-19.   Call it what you will.  But while we are all scared and practicing social distancing and taking care of ourselves as best we can, we are faced with a choice:  will we be kind or selfish?  Look at what we can do for others (while being safe) or make like it’s not our problem?

Here in Crown Heights, some people are really focused on what they can do for others.  One example is the restaurant, The Bergen which recently began giving out free meals to children and their families in the local community.  Thanks to Ty Brown who owns the restaurant, these individuals are getting food.  And while his business is down, he is able to give out this free food thanks to generous donations from local New Yorkers.

Initially the restaurant was delivery free brown-bag lunches for school children but once schools closed they found another way to help.

There is always a way to help. No matter what the situation. It’s just a matter of choice.