As the coronavirus pandemic rages, our Facebook timelines got filled with farewell posts from beloved small restaurants. Many netizens mourned their loss, especially those hole-in-the-wall establishments in or near universities or office buildings. “Made so many memories here, you will be missed,” one netizen wrote, voicing sadness for the closure of a famous eatery on Katipunan Avenue that many students flocked to.

As the pandemic continues to affect the restaurant industry, it is not difficult for owners to lose hope. Some measures they had to take were losing both customers and staff, adjusting to consumer preferences and closing their establishments. The enhanced community quarantine imposed on Luzon last March forced restaurant owners to close their doors for months, leaving them to decide between offering delivery services or waiting for the lockdown to be lifted. Takeouts and deliveries seemed possible, but most small restaurants were not ready for it, as they had to prepare food differently, invest in good packaging and sacrifice their unique dine-in experience. And waiting for the lockdown to be lifted can be likened to surrendering, as money only went to paying rent and utilities. Lots of tough decisions had to be made.

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