DE PERE, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Like every restaurant across Wisconsin, De Pere's Abbey bar is navigating through tough times.
In March, the abrupt change to a "takeout-only" world didn't come easy for the popular pub.
"The first week was truly shocking, I guess you could say," Kerry Counard, owner and operator of The Abbey, said.
"I think we figured it out," he added. "I think the problem now is we're seeing a little bit of people hitting a takeout wall."
He said orders have been down lately. Overall, Counard described the last eight weeks as a "roller coaster," but said he's doing all he can to market what The Abbey has to offer.
"My daughter says that I'm trying to become an influencer," he joked. "I said 'If an influencer is someone that's trying to save their business then call me an influencer.'"
Counard said it's tough keeping the restaurant afloat on takeout orders only. To make matters worse, the timing has been terrible.
"Obviously we're directly across the street from St. Norbert (College) and they've been a great neighbor forever," he said. "And right now, typically, is one of our busier times of the year.
"This coming weekend is graduation weekend... It was supposed to be graduation weekend anyway. And right now we're missing out on that."
Counard said the restaurant is moving at a "snail pace." With Wisconsin's "Safer at Home" order set to expire on May 26, he is hoping the restaurant will be able to partially re-open soon.
The Abbey has daily takeout specials. To learn more, visit its website here.
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