A Reopening: Making An Unordinary Situation Ordinary
From the very beginning, Ordinary New Haven has been a place where people of all walks could gather, sip, and talk. With its rich history, delicious cocktails and dark wooden architecture, it is almost impossible not to be enchanted. Now, after six months without guests walking through the alluring secret bookcase to the bar, they are opening their doors again.
Nearly seven years after Ordinary’s conception, on March 14, the lively cocktail bars service came to a screeching halt. Like many bars in the state, Ordinary’s doors shuttered due to Covid-based closures. For co-owner Tim Cabral, it was a very anxiety riddled time. “Not knowing whether or not I had to break it to my staff that we weren’t reopening was stressful. There were a lot of sleepless nights,” said Cabral.
There were many challenges that came during the closure including negotiating rent with the property owners, not having outdoor space for service, and concerns about the staff’s struggles.
During quarantine, Cabral and his partners started hosting virtual happy hours every two-to-three weeks on Zoom to keep the bar afloat. For each class, they would sell cocktail and food kits that the guests would pick up and later prepare at home during the event.
The community’s response to the first class was overwhelming. “The first goal was to sell 40 kits. Within the first five days we sold 150 kits and had to cap it. I was completely shocked,” said Cabral. The response was so positive after that first session that the group continued to grow each time, maxing out at 350 people.
The revenue from those classes combined with additional PPP loan funds gave Cabral and his team the money they needed to cover expenses, as well as fund a renovation to the back room of the bar.
Coming up on its 8th year, the owners at Ordinary knew they wanted a change, but also needed to make it work during Covid social distancing regulations in a way that didn’t need to be taken down in a year. They wanted to create a safe space for the employees as well as guests while they escape reality in a sense and enjoy their cocktails comfortably.
The new main entrance to Ordinary will now be on College Street instead of Chapel Street where a door person will greet each guest, take reservations, and allow groups in only when there is a space available.
Guests can also expect an exciting new drink and food menus with interesting new concepts to please any pallet.
“I truly miss my interaction with our guests. I am really looking forward to be able to have that again,” said Cabral
Ordinary will be opening in early October. Check @sipitCT or @ordinarynewhaven on Instagram for updates.
By Amanda Kenny
