Dewey Beach cafe shows generosity amidst coronavirus uncertainty
DEWEY BEACH, Del. – With winter coming to an end, things were finally starting to look up for local businesses in tourist towns like Dewey Beach. However, the coronavirus is changing a lot of that. But one local business owner says she’s still doing what she can to help the community.
“I know that some people are going to struggle with feeding their families,” says Pam Minhas, the owner of Baked Coffee Bar.
An open door is an uncommon sight among the dark storefronts on Route One in Dewey Beach. But perhaps even more uncommon is a sign on Baked Coffee Bar that reads “Free lunch”. The 2020 tourist season is starting out differently than Pam Minhas expected.
For the time being, Minhas can only offer takeout or delivery because of new coronavirus mandates. “I didn’t think that that was going to support the community the way I wanted it to. I really wanted to support the community and do something that mattered,” says Minhas.
“It was a family of three that came in and needed the food you know that’s why I’m doing this and then there was an older couple that needed it and then another gentleman that came in that they needed some help as well,” says Minhas.
Plenty of people have also come in simply wanting to donate. “I feel bad because I do work in the restaurant business and I know the people are going to be hurting kitchen staff everybody is going to be hurting from no tips, no money, no income. And it’s going to trickle down to the little guy,” says Lori Peoples, a Millsboro Resident.
“What was I going to do? Sit at home and feel sorry for myself? Feel sorry for my staff? So now I can do something to be proactive and give back and be generous and be kind,” says Minhas.
The owner of Baked Coffee Bar says she’ll continue to offer free lunch to anyone who needs a meal as long as she can. In addition to the free lunch, Baked Coffee Bar will start offering carry out options on Wednesday.
For more information about Baked Coffee Bar: click here.
