Q: Do you have any leads / details on the “Culture Shop” (I think that’s the official name) on the corner of Kennon and Hawthorne? I live on Thomas and have been eagerly watching the progress on the exterior of the building.
UP: I live on Nassau and am also excited for it to open! I’m actually going to be there tomorrow to get some details from Catherine, one of the owners, so stay tuned early next week for a story with more details.

Q: What’s the deal with natural wines?
UP: Natural wines have gained popularity alongside the sustainability movement. Generally, natural wines are made without any additives or filtering, which is why they are sometimes a bit cloudy. Bond Street has the best selection of natural wines, but if you’re looking to enjoy some out and about, Resident Culture Brewing has a wine list with many natural options available by the bottle.

Q: Are restaurants really concerned about coronavirus?
UP: Yes. Restaurant margins are slim already, and with a slow of diners near certain, they’re going to get even slimmer, if not dip into the red. And it’s not just restaurant owners, but farmers who supply them, that will see hard times. It’s the whole restaurant ecosystem, really — when business slows down at restaurants, less food is ordered, servers receive fewer tips, hours get cut, and those hourly workers have no other way to replace that income.

Q: How can I support restaurants during the coronavirus?
UP: If you feel comfortable going out to eat, do so, and leave a big tip! If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, or are in one of the high-risk categories, you can always order takeout from the restaurants you love most. Another great way to support restaurants is to buy gift cards — that way, there’s still some cash flow coming into the restaurants. We’re hearing a few ideas from restaurants that might come to fruition, and if they do, we’ll share them with you. Also, please don’t forget farmers! They’ll have lots of extra produce as restaurants order less. Buy it up at the farmer’s market, and spend your extra time at home canning, cooking, and freezing!

Q: What should we do when dining out re: coronavirus?
UP: Make sure you’re going to a restaurant that takes pride in its experience. I would feel much more comfortable dining at a small, locally-owned restaurant than a chain right now, because employees that are invested in their employer are going to take more care in their work, in everything from cleaning tables and putting away glassware. If you want to be on the safe side, wash your hands frequently, and bring hand sanitizer to rub on after you’ve touched a door handle or other commonly touched item. —Kristen Wile