Boston Tavern Pivots To 'Plan B' To Try To Survive The Pandemic
This is the first in an ongoing series of stories following the struggle of one restaurant trying, like many, to reinvent itself in order to survive the global pandemic.
Food and drink establishments have been among the most challenging businesses to operate through the pandemic. Around the nation, many have already shut down for good, while others that reopened are now closing again because of increases in COVID-19 cases in some places.
In Boston, where the coronavirus is currently on the wane, an English-style pub called Cornwall's is one of many trying to make a go of it. A mainstay in Kenmore Square for nearly 40 years, Cornwall's has capitalized on the foot traffic from neighboring Fenway Park and Boston University.
As it does every year, the family-owned pub spent mid-March preparing to be packed with people looking for a place to party.
"Saint Patrick's Day is like Christmas," says Pam Beale, 64, who owns the place with her husband John, 77. The cozy pub, with its mahogany banquettes with tartan plaid cushions, was decked outcorned beef and cabbage and soda bread, and had ordered up extra kegs and bottles of beer.
