There is no doubt 2020 has been a year of hardships for businesses facing adversity throughout the Pandemic. With temporary state-wide shutdowns, many feared making it through until being allowed to reopen.

Adam Rammel, Ohio

“Adam Rammel enjoyed seeing a full house at his brewpub, Brewfontaine, and had high hopes for his second location next door, the Syndicate. But for three months, from March 15 to June 5, the Bellefontaine, Ohio, restaurants were closed to indoor diners and limited to takeout and delivery. Rammel can’t shake the image of upside-down chairs on tables in an empty dining room.

Social distancing and customer anxiety have reduced the restaurants’ Friday and Saturday night crowds from an expected 130 people to 60 at best. With winter here, Rammel and his co-owners have given up on serving customers outdoors. Like other restaurateurs, he hopes the widespread availability of a coronavirus vaccine will bring back the crowds.

Asked how he’s been able to get through more than nine months of anxiety, Rammel said he’s been helped by “an amazing support system with partners, including my family. Trying to remain positive. And bourbon. Lots of bourbon.”

— By Joyce Rosenberg, AP business writer”

To view other stories about the hard times faced during the Coronavirus Pandemic, please visit: https://apnews.com/article/us-news-iowa-coronavirus-pandemic-78526efa61f3901e7fe90292dbb64ea8