How are Grafton businesses operating during the coronavirus pandemic?

Social distancing isn’t necessarily good for business.

Acting on Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order to shut down eat-in service at restaurants and restrict gatherings to 25 people or less, several businesses are restricting hours or outright closing to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Grafton restaurants Reunion Tap and Table, the Hunter’s Grille n at the Grafton Inn, and the Post Office Pub have announced a move to takeout-only service. Anzios, the North Grafton restaurant that recently moved to Northborough, is also setting up a mobile pizza oven at Hunter’s Grille for takeout.
• The Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University is now emergency care only. “Clients will no longer be allowed to enter Foster Hospital, and veterinary staff will meet owners at their cars to receive or discharge their pets,” the hospital said on social media.
• Anytime Fitness, which normally operates around the clock, is closing its gym and hoping its clientele will join them for exercise via app. “Our Coaches and staff will be posting workouts frequently on the Anytime Fitness Grafton social media sites,” the gym announced on Facebook.
• Truth Organic Med Spa is closing through March 31. “The safety and health of both our clients and staff has always been our utmost priority,” a social media post announced. “We are confident with the added safety precautions that we had recently implemented but at this time we feel that social distancing is being socially responsible and we are dedicated to doing our part to help. We will continue to closely monitor and assess the situation before reopening on March 31st.”
• Also closing is Off the Common Antiques, which urged customers to patronize local restaurants. “They will be taking a major hit,” the owners wrote. “Our ‘stuff’ will always be here. We own our own building and we aren’t going anywhere.”
• Apple Tree Arts has postponed all productions and moved to a distance-learning platform.
• Starting on March 19, Stop & Shop will have special early hours for customers age 60 and over, 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., to help this high-risk group avoid crowds.
• Quite Fetching Barkery and Pet Boutique is moving to appointment-only visits.