In March of 2020 due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, states began issuing stay-at-home orders shutting down all non-essential businesses, travel and gatherings ,creating a ripple effect that crippled the restaurant industry. The future of all restaurants and Renata became uncertain. On the same day this shutdown was announced, our friend and meat purveyor, Pat, was scheduled to deliver a cow to the restaurant. It was important to us to honor our commitment to this vendor and it highlighted how huge a shift this shutdown might impose in our collective journey in the restaurant industry.

Originally the hope was the shut down would last only a few weeks, however weeks turned into months of pivoting and reinventing our business plan. Along the way, we decided to test wood fire pizzas as a frozen item to offer our clients. It felt critical to us to find a means to stay connected to our guests and support overwhelmed families with simple solutions for meals. Renata pizza became a vehicle to continue to do what we do best - nourish and care for our community.