We may not be able to dine in at our favorite restaurants right now but many eateries remain open for delivery and pick-up. We are so proud to highlight two of our small business partners that are working together through the coronavirus pandemic. Both businesses have also been sponsors of RTC’s Summer Heat and Rider Appreciation Campaigns.

Denette Braud, owner of Braud’s Funnel Cake Café, and Trina Jiles, owner of Gritz Café, came up with an idea on how to keep their customers happy during uncertain times.

Braud’s Funnel Cake Café has a brick and mortar operation at Town Square between the Apple Store and Raiders ticket office but Denette decided it was best to temporarily close. “There’s not enough foot traffic at Town Square for us to say open,” Denette said. She quickly thought of a plan-b to keep her business going. Denette is using her food truck, which is usually reserved for special events, to serve patrons in the parking lot of Gritz Café, located on Stella Lake Street near the Historic Westside. As business owners and friends, both Trina and Denette thought it would be a good idea to have their operations share a parking lot a couple of times a week to serve customers who want breakfast, lunch, and the famous carnival dessert, all while practicing social distancing. “We started social distance practices before the governor’s orders came down. It was the responsible thing to do,” Jiles said.

So far, their partnership idea has been a hit!

Gritz Cafe is open for curbside pick-up on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Funnel Cake Café food truck is parked outside Gritz Café on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.