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Mass Ave. business talks about Indy plan to close streets for dining

Posted at 11:34 PM, May 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-19 23:34:19-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Non-stop carryout and delivery orders are carrying Bazbeaux Pizza through the coronavirus pandemic.

"Business has been good," Nick Waterfill, manager of Bazbeaux Pizza, said. "We have some loyal customers and we've been running pizzas out the door every single day."

The restaurant sits right at the corner of Mass Ave. and Delaware Street, part of five different corridors the city plans to close to vehicle traffic so restaurants like Bazbeaux's can place tables and chairs in the street allowing their customers to eat outside.

Waterfill said the restaurant is giving careful consideration to changes that will impact customers and employees.

"We're not going to rush into anything," Waterfill said. "We're gonna make sure that our plan works for our business and is safe for our customers before we commit to anything."

Waterfill said the closing of Mass Ave. won't stop pizzas from getting out but would force changes to their current carryout plan, possibly diverting pickup and delivery orders to the building's other entrance on New York Street.

"We always adapt, we're able to keep the business going and we'll just adapt again," Waterfill said.

Customers will tell you the pizza is delicious. Waterfill said that's why people keep coming back for more even if they have to walk a little further to get it. He said he hopes city leaders do a little homework to learn what brings customers to each business.

"Every business is different," he said. "I think they need to come to Mass Ave. and talk to the owners and teh people who work here, but we're making this work."