In a time when we can't all gather around a table, we can still come together as a community. We're Open Indy is a partnership between WRTV and our local restaurants and businesses with one goal: getting them through this tough time. Every day, we will help shine a light on the businesses that make up our community by telling their stories and rallying around those who are keeping the grills going, the hospitals running, and the businesses operating.
CARMEL — Opening a new business can be tough, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While on maternity leave more than a year and a half ago, Rachel Priddy decided to open a coffee shop instead of returning to corporate America.
She got the certificate to open Rose and Lois Cafe on the same day Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered restaurants only serve take out or delivery to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
"Once I understood that we have access to fresh food and we have access to things not even on the grocery store shelves right now, we are going to do all that we can to keep our doors open to get fresh food to people," Priddy said.
While relying on customers coming to the drive thru and deliveries isn't the typical grand opening we see, Priddy says it's looking at the bigger picture.
"We opened the restaurant because we care about people, and we are starting to get orders from local hospitals and I couldn't ask for anything more rewarding to be apart of," Priddy said.
The cafe is also putting extra snacks in orders when they can. Priddy says it just partnered with a realtor putting in a large donation to the staff at Community Health North.
While customers aren't able to dine in at the cafe yet, the cafe is already apart of something much bigger.
