LAKEWOOD, N.Y. — Like many small businesses across the state, restaurants specifically, making ends meet amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult challenge.

What You Need To Know

  • Schuyler's Country Kitchen in Lakewood is now open
  • The eatery was closed for six months because of the state's COVID-19 restrictions
  • Tables are out, essential groceries, and deli cases in
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One family-owned eatery in Chautauqua County that has recently reopened has also reimagined how it serves its customers.

Deb Schuyler, owner of Schuyler's Country Kitchen in Lakewood, is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of opening the restaurant, by recently, reopening it.

"It was my dream. This was my retirement project after working 25 years at a hospital in Florida," said Schuyler.

A dream that turned into a six-month-long nightmare.

"Where is your next paycheck coming from," said Schuyler.

After she was forced to shut it down last August because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"And that just threw us into a tailspin. We all cried because we knew we were going to miss each other and we were going to miss our customers," said Schuyler.

Customers like Rachael Kosinski of Ashville who stopped in for a morning cup of coffee. 

"It's very nice. My family used to come here like after Church a lot or like on Saturday's. Homey environment, and the food's really good. So, it's very exciting that it's open again," said Kosinski.

"This is better than nothing. It's stressful. Before we could do this with our eyes closed, and now everything's new," said Schuyler.

For instance, the tables and chairs are gone because under the state's restrictions, Schuyler says the restaurant can't survive with only 25 customers seated inside.

Instead, the place is now lined with essential grocery items, as well as two new deli cases.

"We have roast beef. We have pastrami. Cheddar. We have jalapeno. We have Jarlsberg," said Schuyler.

Filled with a variety of meats and cheeses.

And also features a now-limited menu of customer favorites for takeout only.

"It was heartbreaking. When you have a thriving business for 10 years and you enjoy what you're doing, then you have to convert to something else in order to survive, it's hard. This has been a huge change for all of us. And for everybody involved, it hasn't been easy," said Schuyler.

Yet Schuyler says she remains hopeful the restaurant will be able to return to normal down the road, with tables and without masks. 

"My drive comes from wanting to be in a thriving business again. We're going to give it a good try. Let's just put it that way," said Schuyler.