Celebrating together: Trattoria Giuseppe stays busy, thanks to devoted customers, employees
In October, Grace and Giuseppe “Joe” Prezzavento of Imperial will celebrate their 14th year in business at Trattoria Giuseppe, their Italian restaurant at 5442 Old Hwy. 21 in the Otto area.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made 2020 a tough year for a lot of businesses, Trattoria Giuseppe is doing well, thanks to its loyal customers, Grace said.
“We never closed,” she said. “For two and a half months (beginning March 23), we did takeout only, but because we have such a wonderful customer base and such loyal, loyal customers, they supported us through this whole thing. We were just as busy with takeout as if people were dining in. We couldn’t have made it through those months without our wonderful customers. They really were fantastic and still are fantastic.”
Grace said Mother’s Day (on May 10) was particularly busy.
“That was amazing. We were so, so busy with takeout orders,” she said.
Two days later, the restaurant reopened the dining room while continuing to fill takeout orders.
Grace said more and more dine-in customers are returning, and the restaurant still does a brisk carryout business.
In addition to seating for 68 inside the restaurant, there are six tables outdoors, Grace said.
She said the restaurant tries to keep diners distanced from each other as much as possible and employees take extra steps to keep the restaurant clean.
“We’re disinfecting everything that needs disinfecting,” Grace said.
She said the restaurant has about 15 employees, who have worked hard to keep the restaurant running through a difficult time.
“Our employees have been absolutely wonderful,” Grace said. “Between the customers and our employees, we have been very, very blessed to get through all of this.”
