Since the outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States, many restaurants have taken serious precautions by limiting to only curbside dining or carry-out orders, per Executive Order 20-10 signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on March 23. While many mainstream businesses such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell in Muncie can survive under these current conditions, it is the small businesses that could be affected. Muncie has been helpful by providing access to those resources that the United States Department of the Treasury has made available.

Big Burger, which opened a little under two years ago, took to Facebook on March 27 to inform customers that due to lack of business, it would temporarily be closing until the virus situation got better. They would update their regulars on April 1, saying they will finally be opening up again the next day. Restaurants such as Puerto Vallarta and Chili’s have been offering carry-out alcohol recently, which has helped them keep afloat. They also have been offering carry-out and curbside dining.

The Madison Street Retro Diner is another small business that is suffering from the local outbreak. While it has its their fair share of regulars, the business has taken a huge hit from the virus, and as of March 23, it decided to close until government restrictions of dining-in are over. The diner, which was featured on Restaurant Impossible last year, has suffered from low profit margins. Daughter of the owner and General Manager Melissa Buckler, said the restaurant was barely making it by before the COVID-19 outbreak, and now it is completely shutting down until the government restrictions are lifted. The future of the diner could be in jeopardy. COVID-19 has been a scary situation, and the businesses of Muncie have tried to find ways to make a profit.

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