Article content continued

Brown and Taylor both worry about the diner “regulars.” Some are seniors with few other places to go or social connections, and others would drop by if they didn’t have anywhere else to go on cold winter nights.

So far, Taylor says things are OK financially. But he and Brown have no idea how long the closure might last, and what could happen if it goes on for months. They know closing is the best option to protect their staff and the people who come to the diner from the novel coronavirus, but like other restaurant owners, the future has so many unknowns.

If the restaurant isn’t open for business, there’s no money coming in. Brown has used Uber Eats to let people order takeout in the past, but she says that’s never been a big part of business. The whole experience of a diner, she points out, is to come for the sit-down service. And the Blackfoot Diner has always been a frequent stop for truckers who need to get off the road and rest.

JimWells/Postmedia

Over the past week, Taylor and Brown decided to try to make the most of the time without customers, tackling some renovations, deep-cleaning the entire kitchen and finishing some repairs.

“I think maybe what we’re hoping is maybe if we just keep cleaning, it’ll be open,” Brown said, laughing. “This is our life. This diner — this is it for us.”

Taylor, 58, has been around the diner all his life. He started helping his mother in the restaurant when he was just a kid, washing dishes and doing odd jobs.

Seeing it shut down now, “I have to keep moving because if I sit down and think about it too long, it worries on me,” he said.

“Sometimes I almost get in a panic sort of mode. Like I’ve got to get this work done because we’re going to open — like I’m hoping we’re going to open any day and things will return to normal.

“I guess we’ve got to pray. Pray lots.”

masmith@postmedia.com

Twitter: @meksmith