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Customer loyalty saving Lynn cafe
Like most small businesses, Christopher’s Café is hurting during the COVID-19 health crisis that has limited restaurants to takeout service only. It’s a double whammy for owner David Shalvoy, who also runs a catering business out of Christopher’s, with the shutdown forcing the cancellation of weddings, graduation parties and other functions.
“We’ve lost 40 catering jobs,” said Shalvoy, who ran a restaurant in Boston for 12 years before moving to Lynn in 2008. “We’re not just a restaurant. Catering is our primary business.”
Shalvoy has modified the hours the restaurant is open — Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — as well as the menu. Always a popular Diamond District breakfast spot, Christopher’s is doing more lunch business now, with items such as roast turkey sandwich, pulled pork, and Reuben sandwiches proving to be popular among Shalvoy’s faithful clientele.
That loyalty has been a saving grace for Shalvoy, who said many customers have bought gift cards for future use. Then there is the woman who is sending him checks to cover what she would have spent if she were able to dine in at Christopher’s. Many others have donated funds to help with the cost of providing free meals.
“We do have a loyal following. We get a lot of repeat business,” said Shalvoy, who in the past has referred to Christopher’s as having a clubhouse atmosphere, where customers tend to converse with fellow diners. “Everybody is welcome. I know 90 percent of my customers.”
Since opening the restaurant, Shalvoy has doubled the seating capacity and bought the building at 2 Lewis St. near the Swampscott line, where Stone Bakery used to be housed. A $35,000 loan from the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC/Lynn) helped him with the expansion.
“We have always believed in and supported Dave,” EDIC/Lynn Executive Director James M. Cowdell said. “He is an awesome guy who is really working hard to stay afloat in these historically tough times.”
The fact that his own business is struggling — March sales were off by more than 85 percent from last year — has not prevented Shalvoy from continuing to help others during this pandemic. As a strong supporter of local artists and the community, Christopher’s was recently featured on “Chronicle” for mentoring and employing people with developmental disabilities, as well as having local artists showcase their work on the restaurant’s walls.
As the pandemic hit Massachusetts, and the community started experiencing the economic impact, Christopher’s made it known that anyone who is experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, or the loss of employment is welcome to come by for a free take-out meal.
Christopher’s has also provided subsidized and free meals for neighbors, hospital workers, Lynn soup kitchen My Brother’s Table, and Eastie Farm, a Boston community garden that distributes food to people in need. The restaurant is collaborating with the city’s new initiative to offer meals to households in financial or health crisis.
“People are losing jobs. Workers on the front line are beat. More people are getting sick, or have to stay home to care of sick family members,” Shalvoy said. “No one needs to lack food right now. We all need to put our best foot forward and muster up the strength to pay it forward. My clients have supported me for years; now it’s my turn.”