Pizza X delivery drivers have made thousands of runs in the months since the beginning of the pandemic. But not one of them has reported a positive COVID-19 test, according to owner Jeff Mease.
He said he thinks their luck with avoiding infection comes from avoiding unnecessary interaction at each point of contact.
“You know, do drivers have to be within six feet of an inside person? Probably not," Mease said.
The popular Bloomington pizza joint is part of Mease’s One World Enterprises group, which includes local staple Lennie’s and modern cafeteria Hive. In April, Mease announced a 75% raise for Pizza X hourly employees. That effort used funds from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
Mease said all of his restaurants focus on hand-washing, social distancing and the wearing of face masks.
While Mease said Pizza X sales are strong, he is concerned about the effect that rising COVID-19 cases and dropping temperatures might have on his other ventures and the Bloomington restaurant scene as a whole.
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“The only way restaurants really work is to have a good idea of how much business you’re gonna be doing," he said.
And with a vaccine on the horizon but no clear plan as to when the pandemic will end, uncertainty is the only constant for local restaurants heading into the winter.
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