Tracking the Impact of the Pandemic on Ann Arbor’s Food Industry

Washtenaw Dairy Ice Cream in Ann Arbor. | Andrew Boydston/Shutterstock

From updates on outdoor seating regulations to restaurant closings, here’s where to find updates on how the Ann Arbor-area industry is managing the COVID-19 pandemic

Since mid-March, the pandemic has been pummeling the restaurant industry across the United States and Ann Arbor isn’t immune. Restaurants initially closed or pivoted to carryout and delivery. Some offered groceries, while others sold beer and wine to-go.

Now that the state of Michigan is allowing dining rooms to reopen at 50 percent capacity, the real financial toll is finally settling in. Already, several longtime downtown Ann Arbor restaurants have announced their permanent closure or relocation to as-of-yet-unknown locations elsewhere in the city.

Those that do try to reopen at half-capacity will face all sorts of challenges including implementing new COVID-19 mitigation protocols. Employees are now required to wear masks and have their health monitored. Customers are required to sit in groups six feet apart. It’s an entirely different world of dining.

Eater is keeping track of these changes along the way — from new patio regulations to closings to carryout dining options — with help from local Ann Arbor correspondent John Reyes. Keep track of all the updates below and send tips to detroit@eater.com.