For New Moon Cafe, Survival Was Community Effort

It was the last day of indoor dining at New Moon Cafe, and the East Quogue restaurant buzzed with chatter — speculation flying about what COVID-19 would bring.

“When news of the pandemic swirled around us, I was in shock for a week or so — nervous we might have to close down completely, which would mean closure and possible bankruptcy,” recalled co-owner Shana Campsey, now a year later. “Truthfully, it was terrifying to think about the future.”

After New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo limited restaurants to takeout and delivery only starting March 16, 2020, New Moon Cafe didn’t miss a beat. The eatery immediately shifted gears without closing a single day, Ms. Campsey said.

“Unfortunately, we had to furlough several of our younger workers and thin the kitchen shifts,” she said, “but slowly, the takeout service increased and we could bring people back to work.”

Before the Paycheck Protection Program kicked in — which covered the restaurant’s payroll and funded upgrades for summer dining — New Moon Cafe relied on the local community to keep it afloat, while also offering some items at discounts to help struggling families and first responders who didn’t have time to make meals.

Survival was a true community effort, Ms. Campsey said.

“Many customers purchased gift certificates to use in the future, or as gifts to neighbors, so that it would give us some cash flow,” she said. “A few people offered to pay for meals for a local fire department, Riverhead and Southampton hospitals, and also holiday meals for senior citizens.”

Come summer, the restaurant transformed its large yard off Main Street into outdoor dining, offering several tables at safe social distances — and customers loved it so much that it will become a seasonal staple, Ms. Campsey said.

“Eventually, local musicians would come together and play in an open mic collaboration,” she said. “The season actually continued into October, which we have never seen before.”

The restaurant’s takeout business has kept thriving, more than pre-pandemic, Ms. Campsey said, even with steady, socially distanced indoor dining outfitted with air purifiers and partitions for bar and dining room customers, before they can move back outdoors.

“We at the New Moon Cafe are feeling confident about the summer,” she said, “and excited to have outside dining and entertainment for another season.”