BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County moving to an orange zone — and banning eat-in dining as a result — could have struck a fatal blow for Coco Bar & Bistro.

What You Need To Know

  • The "Crepe Chalet" has cranked out crepes on Buffalo's Main Street for the past few weeks
  • Owner Maura Crawford, who also owns Coco Bar & Bistro, wanted to supplement her restaurant after losing indoor dining
  • Crawford hopes to keep the Chalet through March, or whenever dine-in can resume in Erie County
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Owner Maura Crawford presented one of the more creative solutions on Main Street: Her French restaurant has shifted into a "Crepe Chalet," a wooden cabin fitted with a crepe griddle, hot beverages and alcohol.

"I want to stay in business and keep people working," she says. "Number two was, this would be great for the community, and it’s worked out for both. It's helping Coco a lot, and so many people have thanked me, for just adding something a little special to what could be a sad holiday season."

Crawford says she'll keep the Chalet up until March, or until dine-in can resume in Erie County.