Even though his great-grandmother died in the flu pandemic of 1918 and his great-grandfather warned him it could happen again, the owner of "York Food and Drink" on Packard in Ann Arbor, Tommy York, said he didn't believe that would ever happen.
And now, here he is in the pandemic that began in 2020, doing his best to stay in business and keep the community fed and connected. WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with York in this week's "Art and Soul" about how he has done that and his gratitude for all the community collaboration and customer support.
The owner of York Food and Drink on Packard in Ann Arbor, Tommy York, says staying in business during the past year of the pandemic has been extremely stressful and like nothing he has ever experienced before. The pandemic started shortly after they put in a full bar at York Food and Drink, and he says they've basically been running at break even for a year.
They bought tents and furniture and expanded their outside picnic space after they realized the pandemic would be going on much longer than people anticipated and they still wanted to accommodate customers outside.
Tommy York says the community has been amazing in supporting his business, and they've collaborated with a number of food truck owners to offer a variety of food options to go with the drinks that can still be ordered inside. Side Biscuit, Juicy Oistre, and Go Ice Cream are just some of the local food fenders they've brought to York Food and Drink.
York says his great-grandmother died from the flu pandemic of 1918 and his great-grandfather warned him it could happen again. He also gave him advice to stay financially solvent in case something like that happened again--which it did.
York says he's learned from this experience and plans to keep an open mind to keep everyone employed and has been heartened by the "win-win attitude" of fellow food business owners and the community.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT YORK FOOD & DRINK:
Good Eats and DJ Fresh Myint
Friday - 3/5/2021 - 5pm.
Brunch at YORK: Fig Detroit and YORK Cocktails
Saturday - 3/6/2021 - 12pm-2pm.
Side Biscuit & DJ Batz
Saturday - 3/6/2021 - 5pm.
¡Whoa! Tacos + DJ Batz
Taco Tuesday - 03/09/2021 - 5pm.
Village Hand Pies & DJ Fresh Myint
Friday - 3/12/2021 - 5pm.
Jamaican Spice & DJ Fresh Myint
Friday - 3/13/2021 - 5pm.
St. Patrick's Day in the Yard with Chef G & DJ Fresh Myint
Wednesday - 3/17/2021 - 5pm.
Chef G & DJ Batz
Saturday - 3/20/2021 - 5pm.
Simply Spanish & DJ Fresh Myint
Friday - 3/26/2021 - 5pm.
Juicy Oistre & DJ Batz
Saturday - 3/27/2021 - 5pm.
TO STAY IN THE KNOW:
Follow us on Instagram (@yorkannarbor), Facebook (@yorkannarbor), or visit us online: www.yorka2.com. We've been very excited to be receiving some local and national press lately - check us out!
**Special thanks to Paul Keller for providing the Art & Soul theme music.**
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
