LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — While many restaurants have struggled to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, others aren't just surviving. They're thriving.
Parkette Drive-in on E New Circle Road has seen a significant enough boost in business that its owners hired several new employees to meet the demand.
"The last several weekends in a row people are traveling around, and there's nowhere to park," Parkette Drive-in Co-owner Randy Kaplan said. "We haven't seen that in years. Maybe in decades."
Kaplan credits the boost to the community for supporting local businesses during this tough time. He also said the restaurant's design could make customers feel more comfortable. For example, they can sit in their cars and keep a safe distance from each other. Carhops also wear gloves and masks when interacting with them.
"As people realized they can come in their car, we're going to bring the food to them, it really started ramping up into an explosion," Kaplan said.
Even though the State is allowing restaurants to open their dining rooms this Friday, Parkette will not open its dining room. The restaurant joins Sav's Grill and West African Cuisine, Bourbon n' Toulouse, Corto Lima, and others that are all waiting a little longer to open their doors back up to the public.
