LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — When Kyle’s Food Truck pulled up outside Andrew Cooperrider’s “Brewed” coffee shop off Nicholasville Road, he didn’t have to hear it to know that opportunity came knocking.
“Whether I’m opened or closed I still have to pay the rent. Might as well allow people to come inside and sit and hang out,” Cooperrider said.
Cooperrider has kept his doors open, even as Gov. Andy Beshear mandated that restaurants and comparable businesses could no longer prepare and serve indoors due to the increased spread of COVID-19 across the state.
“For some reason, if I make the food, you’re not allowed to do that,” Cooperrider said.
But inside the food truck, which is parked outside, Kyle’s can prepare and serve. That’s what they’re doing, and Andrew is allowing – legally – customers to bring their food inside for a warm place to sit and eat.
“…you’re allowed to come in with a occupancy of twenty five,” Cooperrider explained.
The loophole allows those who’ve supported Cooperrider’s decision to remain open to continue to frequent his business. And the added foot traffic might induce some to purchase his pre-packaged ground coffee beans, or some “Brewed” hats, or shirts.
“That’s all people are buying. It’s not like we’re being cute about it, it’s what’s allowed," he said.
Cooperrider said some of the employees he had to lay off, or whose hours he had to reduce, have found work helping with the food truck. He even sold Kyle’s the coffee maker that’s at the back of the vehicle.
