Juday explained that he did not expect to do this, but after several employees and local residents mentioned they were short of toilet paper - he knew what 571 Grill and Draft House needed to do.
“It was just an epiphany and then boom, it just took off,” Juday said.
Within less than 24 hours, 571 Grill and Draft House’s Facebook post about the toilet paper has reached over 27,000 people, Juday said.
The restaurant will continue to supply the complimentary roll as long as supplies last. Juday said he ordered another case.
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Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Sunday that the Ohio Department of Health issued an order that closed all Ohio bars and restaurants to in-house patrons effective at 9 p.m. that day.
“I was not surprised. I expected it,” Juday said. “We just had a meeting with core staff on Monday and came up with some strategies to move forward.”
He said that they had to limit hours and figure out how many people had to be on each shift to accommodate the business - not knowing what that would be.
“Yesterday was better than we thought,” Juday said. “Last night was very surprising. We hope that continues.”
The restaurant is offering their full menu besides the skillet cookie, nachos, taco salads and turkey burgers.
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“If this week goes well we are going to try to create some family meals next week, so that it might feed a family of four,” Juday said.
Packaged beer is available for purchase.
All orders will include a 15 percent gratuity to help the staff who have had their hours and wages decrease, Juday said.
“It’s so hard to predict as fast as things are happening and shifting all the time,” Juday said. “We’re doing the best we can to help staff out here and we’re trying to supply people with our product who want to come out and get it.”
The restaurant, located at 12389 Milton Carlisle Road in New Carlisle, is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday for carryout and curbside service. To place an order call 937-845-0089 or 937-305-2260.
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