From free toilet paper to bags of essentials, restaurants find ways to keep people coming

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The lights are on, the music is playing, but things are definitely different at most restaurants right now.

Dining rooms are off-limits as the nation deals with the ongoing coronavirus threat.

At Bells BBQ, Brother and sister Eric Lipsky and Stephanie Bell went over ideas on making curbside service special.

“I said something she maybe didn’t agree with, and she said: ‘why don’t you just offer toilet paper?’” recalled Eric. “I said, 'that’s a great idea!'”

Customers agreed, posting their toilet paper pics on social media.

“It gives me something to talk about with my friends,” said customer Steve Covert. “Guess what I got with my lunch? “

It’s just one example of a small business getting creative and keeping the doors open.

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“We’re a family, but we employ families,” said Bell. “Our customers are family.

Over in Town Square, Lazy Dogs is offering something different as well: $40 pantry packages that include all the raw essentials for a home-cooked meal.

“Some of the things we’re hearing from guests is it takes them three to four stops to find everything in these two bags,” said General Manager Michele Patterson.

The bags include chicken, vegetables, rice, milk, and eggs -- providing a service in these unusual times.

“Each location has a certain amount of reservations to make sure everything is prepped and no one is waiting in line,” Patterson said.

According to the Nevada Restaurant Association, the industry employs nearly 200,000 people statewide -- a $9.9 billion industry.

Back at Bells BBQ, it’s the food, service, and yes... innovation, that helps small businesses weather the storm.

Lazy Dogs is also including toilet paper in those pantry packs, but keep in mind restaurants use a supplier.

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They are not competing with shoppers in grocery stores for paper products.