From the start of the coronavirus crisis, it was clear the hospitality industry would be heavily impacted. New Orleans restaurants and bars around the spectrum have been scrambling to reorganize their business models, with some switching to take-out only service.

By Sunday a few announced they had shut down, but not from lack of business. Instead, owners expressed the need for social distancing.

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, the Tchoupitoulas Street sno-ball destination which recently opened for its 81st season, has temporarily closed.

“My staff and I are sad to say the least but I don’t want to be part of the problem,” said proprietor Ashley Hansen. “My staff and I work really close together, they’re my family, we just want to make sure we’re taking care of each other and our community. Every walk of life comes through this crazy place, and we have to look out for them.”

Social distancing is the prime directive from health authorities to slow the spread of coronavirus, and hopefully stave off the inundation of the health care system.

Hansen said she’s heard from many customers eager to help her business through the crisis, but she’s told them “the best thing you can do is just stay home.”

“I think New Orleans will rally for its beloved small business when the time is right, but for now we just have to get through this,” she said.

Across town, Pagoda Café also today announced it had shut down temporarily.

Shana Sassoon, who opened the Bayou Road café in 2013, said the decision was made to protect the most vulnerable in the community.

“I’ve been debating it over a week, I really don’t want to harm my employees, but this is the reality,” Sassoon said.

“It’s not even about business,” she said. “Even today, we had a pretty good day. People will go out to eat as long as possible, and they’ll congregate as long as possible.”

She hopes to reopen Pagoda Café at a later date.

The café’s staff will be laid off, she said, noting that they will meet as a staff to discuss mutual assistance.

The Uptown coffee shop Luna Cafe announced similar plans.

"WE WILL throw a welcome back party when this is all over, because it will end. And when it does it will be glorious," Cafe Luna explained in a social media message. Cafe Luna intends to open Monday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., to fill take-away orders of whole beans and ground coffee.

"We'll even throw in a roll of toilet paper until we run out," the post noted.

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