Zelevarovski, a native of Macedonia who also operates a coney restaurant in Burton, opened his downtown location roughly 20 years ago. “The first question is: Do you got city water? Yes. “People don’t want to eat,” said Zelevarovski, pointing to the three customers - all loyals - in his restaurant at 11:30 a.m. The water crisis has drained the downtown Flint “Original” Coney Island of customers, said owner Atanas “Tommy” Zelevarovski, 63, adding he could be forced to close in a few weeks. ![]() But now some owners of Flint’s smaller businesses, including in the food service and housing industries, say it is also creating economic problems. The city’s lead-tainted water has been a public health issue for months. That's an opinion that many of the restaurateurs in Flint hope more people will embrace during a water crisis that has yet to be resolved.Flint - Small business owners say they’re reeling from Flint’s contaminated water crisis, as residents fear eating out at restaurants or living in rental units, among a growing list of worries. 1 priority on a restaurant list - to make sure that people could come in here and be safe," he says. Mason Miller, a General Motors retiree eating breakfast at the restaurant, says he doesn't pay much attention to the signs, because he expects clean water. On every table, there's a copy of an inspection report showing no lead in Coney Island's water. "The first question out of everybody's mouth is, 'Do you have Flint water?' "Īmos says the restaurant's owner bought a new filtration system and stacks of bottled water to sell to customers who prefer it. A sign at the front of the restaurant says: "All of our beverages and ice are made with filtered water." But even here, says manager Carlos Amos, business is down. The iconic Angelo's Coney Island has been operating in Flint for more than 60 years. Amos says the restaurant's owner got a good deal on bottled water that customers can choose to buy. ![]() As long as the results are posted, I don't mind."Ĭarlos Amos, manager of Angelo's Coney Island in Flint, Mich., talks to Anthony Pavone, supervisor of the Genesee County Health Department. "I feel comfortable drinking the water here," she says. The Flint & Genesee chamber tries to mitigate that cost by offering free water to businesses twice a week.Īmy Hadd, a secretary eating lunch at Blackstone's, lifts her glass of water. And unlike Flint residents, they also have to buy bottled water. Bergstrom says Blackstone's new filtration system cost about $800, with $250 replacement filters. Many restaurants have bought expensive filtration systems to keep the lead out of beverage machines, bar guns, ice-makers and dishwashers. When they rinse produce, for example, they let the water run first for a while, to flush any lead that may have settled in the plumbing overnight. We get a lot of phone calls like, 'Oh my goodness, what do you do for your water? How do you wash your dishes?' " she says.īergstrom says restaurants know that keeping lead out of their water is crucial. Manager Patti Bergstrom says business has been slack. Posters on its front windows promote concerts and other events, but one prominently displayed sign lists the results of the restaurant's test results in big bold letters: "Water - lead free." The Salt Doctors In Flint, Mich., Push A Healthy Diet To Fight Lead Exposureīlackstone's Pub and Grill is one eatery that has helped to revitalize Flint's downtown. George Wilkinson, vice president for the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, says everyone should know "that it's OK to come out and go to these different restaurants for meals, because the water's been tested, it's certified and it's clear. But despite the ongoing testing for lead, city and state officials say it's time to go on the offense in regard to restaurants. Now, they are trying to recoup lost business and convince leery customers that their water is safe.įlint switched back to Lake Huron for its drinking water late last year. In the past few years, restaurants have been resurging, especially in downtown Flint. The crisis over lead-contaminated water has touched every aspect of life in Flint, and for restaurants, it could not have come at a worse time. The once routine practice of getting a glass of water before a restaurant meal in Flint, Mich., is now fraught with apprehension, since lead pipes started leaching into the drinking water after officials switched to the highly corrosive Flint River as the city's water supply. ![]() A sign at the Westside Diner in Flint, Mich., reassures customers that it serves uncontaminated water pulled from Detroit's drinking supply.
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