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April 6, 2020

Chasing stimulus money, chef Tyler Anderson optimistic about post-COVID prospects

HBJ Photo | Bill Morgan Chef Tyler Anderson in the kitchen of Millwright's in Simsbury.
By Sean Teehan

Two of his restaurants are closed while another two are cut back to takeout only amid COVID-19 restrictions, but Tyler Anderson is optimistic the businesses can weather the storm in the long run.

Among Connecticut's best-known restaurateurs, Anderson's company, Tanda Hospitality, owns Millwrights in Simsbury and Square Peg Pizzeria in Glastonbury, along with Terreno in Hartford's Goodwin Hotel and Hamilton Park in New Haven's Blake Hotel. 

While Anderson's restaurants have all been able to continue making rent payments in full, Tanda is seeking stimulus money to temper large losses at all its restaurants. 

Revenues at the Millwrights and Square peg are down by at least half, Anderson said, and about 20% of Tanda's approximately 210 employees are currently working at the two eateries doing takeout orders, -- with a drive-thru window at Square Peg, and no-contact pickup at Millwrights -- Anderson said. 

"It's not really a time to be pulling amazing profits, or anything like that," Anderson said, noting Tereno and Hamilton Park are both closed temporarily, along with the hotels in which they're located, while Millwrights and Square Peg are takeout only. "But it allows us to keep paying some employees."

Making it through a period of inactivity might not be the biggest challenge for many of Connecticut's restaurants, Anderson said. Opening back up for business might be.

"That will be the true financial test," Anderson said, noting that getting restaurants up and running again requires them to restock inventory and pay staff to prep ahead of opening. "Reopening a restaurant that's been closed costs a lot of money."

Further, Anderson said, there's the looming question of whether the coronavirus will set off long-term changes in customer behavior. After tens of thousands of deaths nationwide, will the idea of eating a meal in a packed dining room fall out of favor?

Aside from that risk, Anderson said he's optimistic that customers at his restaurants will return once they're able to, as they have following weather emergencies in the past.

"I think that everything will be fine," Anderson said. "I think that all of this will make for a very, very busy fall."

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