SAN ANTONIO -- Renowned Chef Johnny Hernandez is on a mission to help feed those who still need groceries, while giving his workforce much-needed income. La Gloria is just one of his restaurants that is turning its dining areas into a grocery market.

• Sysco Foods is partnering with La Gloria at the historic Pearl
• Chef's 3 restaurant locations proving grocery options

Sysco Foods is partnering with La Gloria at the historic Pearl. Restaurant servers and bartenders are now switching up their work duties to help tend to customers’ needs as if they worked in a supermarket.

"It is definitely a change from the norm to have a grocery store in our dining room," said Hernandez. "Everybody is having to learn a new role in the company.”

After suddenly feeling the economic toll of the COVID-19 outbreak, the staff reacted swiftly to keep customers coming in. If you're in need of milk or other high-demand items like toilet paper and water, the pop-up grocery market likely has it in stock.

 

People shop for grocery supplies inside La Gloria Restaurant at the Pearl (Spectrum News)

"We're definitely not as expensive as a convenience store, we're not as cheap as, let’s say, an H-E-B, but we're trying to be not so much competitive, we're trying to be respectful at the end of the day," said Hernandez. "We know this is a difficult time."

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The restaurant will remain open during the shelter-in-place order that extends until at least late April. The staff hopes to serve the San Antonio community as the one-stop-shop for groceries, takeout orders, and alcohol to-go.

"We're really respecting the spaces between employees, between guests. We only allow six people in the store [at a time]," said Hernandez. "This is definitely a way for us to stay - obviously - very involved in an area that we love, which is food and serving others. That's what hospitality and restaurants are all about."

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La Gloria will also be offering a special time for the medical community to shop at the La Gloria Grocery Market. It will be extending its hours from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. for medical professionals and first responders only. Customers must show a valid medical ID to enter the La Gloria Market during these hours. 

Chef Hernandez's Burgerteca and Fruiteria locations will also be opening up pop-up grocery shops.