How One Customer’s Review Caused This Restaurant To Sell Out Of Food
HALIFAX – Like all businesses trying to survive during the coronavirus pandemic, Sydelle’s Fish and Chips has seen a huge drop in revenue over the past several weeks. Owner David Nicholson is working alone at the Bedford restaurant and has restricted the takeout menu to just fish and chips and poutine.
“Traffic has just slowed down. Everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing and trying to stay home. But it’s really reduced the business by more than 50 percent,” said Nicholson. “Coming out of the winter, this is when we should be getting busier, but instead it’s been worse.”
Thursday was a typically slow day for Nicholson, as the people of Bedford stayed home in self-isolation. Suddenly, Sydelle’s phone began ringing off the hook with orders, to the point that he had to tell customers to call again on Friday because he was all out of haddock.
“Everybody wanted to order between six and seven (o’clock) but, sorry, I was out,” said Nicholson. “I explained to everybody, and everyone said they’d be back tomorrow, now I’ll order a bit more product.”
But what caused the sudden influx of orders on Thursday evening? It turns out that a regular customer of Sydelle’s, Jeffrey Watters, posted a positive review in the Talk Bedford Facebook group. The food review unexpectedly took off in popularity, with hundreds of reactions, comments, and shares.
“They are struggling with the current situation. They do not have access to skip the dishes so it’s take-out only,” wrote Watters. “[They’re] still getting fresh fish delivered and the Haddock and Poutine was light and tasty. Fries are still made fresh and not frozen.”
Jeffrey said it was his first time writing a food review for anyone but felt Sydelle’s deserved the recognition. He says the restaurant not only has quality food but quality people running the establishment.
“They were always kind to my kids when they were at the junior high school across the street,” Jeffrey.
“It’s an unprecedented time and there’s a lot of these small little businesses, if we don’t help them out, they may not be around in a few months time when we want to go back there.”
Thanks to the free advertising, Nicholson had to buy a lot of fresh haddock for Friday, anticipating up to 200 orders for the day. The restaurateur said he hasn’t had a chance to reach out to Watters about his viral Facebook post, but would like to thank him, nonetheless.
“When somebody else puts something out there, like a food review… and puts something positive out there, it makes you feel good,” said Nicholson. “We appreciate the initiative taken to help support small businesses. It’s worth its weight in gold to have someone else toot your horn for you.”