SERVICE with a smile

Although restaurants all over Wyoming are closed to dine-in eating due to Governor Mark Gordon’s COVID-19 mandate last week barring eateries from indoor dining, fear not Glenrock residents – your food establishments continue to have you covered.

Whether you’re craving pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, a good steak and mashed potatoes or a full-on, sit-down family meal the food you love to eat on nights off from cooking at home is still at your fingertips.

Area restaurants are offering patrons the option to call in orders over the phone ahead of time and pick them up curbside when their ready, or for those who have drive-up windows, to receive their food orders via a drive-thru.

Holly Norgard is the owner of the Shoreliner and she’s keeping her business open not only to provide people with good eats and spirits through their drive-thru window, but to keep her staff employed through this coronavirus pandemic, when many people are getting laid off from their jobs.

“The girls need to work. I’m worried about them. I’m trying my best to keep everyone working,” Norgard said. She stood behind the U-shaped bar while she spoke, talking about her employees who are more like family to her.

“The tips are low on the to-go orders. It’d be nice if people still tipped when they pick up their food,” she said.

“Part of their income comes from tips. These girls are loyal, outstanding employees. I’ll do anything I can to take care of them. People are dependent on us to stay open.”

Melissa Hershley, one of the Shoreliner’s employees, said she was using the time with the dine-in restrictions in place to do a thorough, deep-cleaning. As she spoke, she was handwashing dining tables and chairs with cleaners, sanitizing them again and again.

“We’re being very careful to make sure everything is extra clean. We do multiple cleanings and sanitations daily,” she said, wiping down the legs on a chair.

Soon, another employee wanders into the establishment. She’s off-shift, but came by to see how everyone was doing or if they need any help.

The atmosphere is upbeat, the women are smiling and laughing together, talking about why they like working there.

“We’re family. Holly is the most amazing, understanding person to work for. Our customers are great – we know them all. It’s the community. People who work here come in on their off nights just to hang out. This is a great place to work,” Katie Faria said.

Faria’s been working at the Shoreliner for 10 years. She’s one of the employees giving up a few hours to her coworkers, to make sure everyone can survive financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s tough, but the women said they’ll survive because they’re doing it together.

The Shoreliner’s drive-thru window opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. They’re offering delivery service for lunch and dinner.

“We’re trying to keep the girls busy and keep their income coming in. We also need to be here for our customers. They depend on us,” Norgard said.

In hard times, Glenrock’s residents stand strong. They look out for each other. They go the extra mile to see that their neighbors are taken care of.

The Rock Bottom Cafe is serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner with a limited menu, but they’re still open at their drive-up window on the north side of the building. They’re also making home-baked treats. They’re baking fresh bread, cakes, pies, cookies, muffins and much more.

The Classic Cafe & Pizza place is open for curbside pick up and evening deliveries.

Doug and Michelle Doherty bought the business in November 1997. They have 14 employees at the restaurant, Michelle Doherty said.

“By staying open we’re allowing our employees to continue to earn a paycheck, which will help keep money flowing in the community. We’re also offering one more alternative for people to get a meal, if they don’t have supplies at home. We are still in operation, taking orders for curbside pick up, and delivery in the evenings,” she said.

Find Glenrock’s restaurants online by name or look for them on Facebook to see current menus, hours of operation and deliver or drive-up options.