The Millstone Public House

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies across many industries to adapt their business practices. The restaurant industry was especially hard hit as a result of indoor dining room closures and physical distancing measures. Locally owned and operated, and with two locations in Dartmouth and one in Bedford, N.S., the Millstone Public House is a welcoming place where friends and family can gather to share a meal. When COVID-19 restrictions prevented patrons from enjoying the restaurant in person, the owners quickly found new ways to respond to these challenges. They introduced an online ordering system on their website, and pivoted to takeout and delivery. Once dining rooms were permitted to reopen, the Millstone installed partitions between tables and introduced single use and touchless menus to create a safe experience. When grocery store shelves were empty during the early days of the pandemic, the Millstone worked with its suppliers to offer kitchen staples to its customers for curbside pickup. They also put together a unique weekly grocery bag service containing an assortment of different goods. These innovative responses have allowed the Millstone Public House to endure the most difficult situation they've ever faced.