Sumter restaurants going with the flow to stay open

With restaurants trying to survive a monumental shift in operations posed by efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, restaurants are finding different ways to adapt.

The Sumter Item spoke with several local restaurants that have completely altered their business model or added new amenities to their offerings. Here is a sampling.

Cut Rate Soda Fountain and Drug Store - 32 S. Main St.

- Offering full menu with pick-up and curbside service, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

- Offering to-go coolers with family style take out

- Offering virtual gift cards

- Staff has set up a tent outside in the back parking lot

- Selling iced mochas with profits going to wait staff

- Working on "Moo and Brew," a camper that is being turned into a coffee trailer and will offer gourmet coffee and milkshakes

- Community support has been enough to stay open

- (803) 773-8432

Palmetto Oyster House - 415 W. Wesmark Blvd.

- Menu changes some day to day

- The restaurant had extra decor it used to outfit the to-go facility in front of the restaurant, which includes a walk-up and a drive-thru side.

- Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

- Not selling alcohol to go

- Each meal is $10 and includes an entree and two sides

- Can order ahead or at time of arrival

- Offering a no-contact curbside option. Call ahead to order and pay over the phone, and restaurant staff will place the food directly into your vehicle

- (803) 607-9498

Hamptons - 33 N. Main St.

- Offering family style take and bake (a meal prepared in the restaurant; you take it home and bake it fresh)

- Since people miss going out on Friday nights, they have been opting instead to pick up a crowler of beer at Sumter Original Brewery and a to-go meal from Hamptons for a take-home night out.

- Community support has been strong

- Open for lunch Wednesday-Friday and Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5-8 p.m.

- (803) 774-4400

Kona Ice of Sumter - Mobile

- Was booked for almost a year, but most of those events have been canceled or postponed

- Staying busy with neighborhood sales. If not for that, would have shut down

- Flavor Wave part of the truck has been shut down

- Open noon-8 p.m.

- Only maintaining one or two people on the truck at a time

- Parents have appreciated the 10-15 minute break provided by going outside to get a treat

- Message on Facebook and request a visit. Not guaranteed, but will try to accommodate: https://bit.ly/2w3y2O0

Willie Sue's - 3355 Patriot Parkway

- Offering full menu

- Has seen good community support

- Will deliver to businesses for orders of 10 or more

- Large orders need to call ahead

- Bottles of wine and growlers of beer available for purchase with food

- Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. for to-go orders

- Call in order at (803) 469-2500, or fax order to (803) 469-2509

- Trying to support staff but have had to reduce hours

CLOSED

- Kobe' Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

- Carolina Grove

- Jin Jin

- J. O'Grady's (same owners as Palmetto Oyster House)

- IHOP

Included closed restaurants are presumably closed temporarily or in the interim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ruby Tuesday closed permanently.

To see a full list of local restaurants and what they're offering during this time, go to https://bit.ly/2UxlXtX.