Dock Street Brewery is family-owned, immigrant-owned, and women-owned and operated. It is also a small business, facing the same challenges that every small business in America has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dock Street never envisioned a survival scenario in which it would have to lay off many dedicated and hardworking staff members, but that is what has transpired these past few months. The world changed without warning, shining a light on many systems in need of reform, and the bar and restaurant industry is one of them.
Like every restaurant in the country, Dock Street is learning and trying to navigate this as best as possible while completely rebuilding the business from the ground up. Many new models for restaurants are being tried right now and there is not enough information or examples out there to know what will be successful. As a small business, Dock Street does not have the structure to enact changes or responses as quickly as other businesses. There’s not a huge team. Still, during this pandemic, Dock Street has taken the time to reflect on how it can and will be better moving forward. Dock Street is trying to do what will benefit staff and community the best.
Firstly, Dock Street West + South staff, front and back, that chose to work as during the Red Phase of the pandemic were guaranteed a generous minimum income per shift, and most days earned well beyond that minimum. These are practices that we are committed to continuing going forward.
Another big step, Dock Street has decided in this process is a post-COVID Counter Service model for Dock Street West, similar in style to operations at Dock Street South. Customers will order at a central station and their order will be run to them. Dock Street West considered doing this at the time of opening Dock Street South but it is very difficult to change a wheel in motion. This shutdown has given the time to restructure. This change takes into account social distancing measures to keep guests and staff as safe as possible. Moreover, and the point of this change, it will ensure better wage disbursement across Dock Street's front and back of house staff, in addition to a more efficient workflow that is beneficial for all. As of today, the framework for this new model and the compensation associated is still being set. Dock Street is committed to fair and reasonable income and is throwing every idea into the pot and working diligently on the best way forward.
As Philadelphia enters the Yellow Phase and later moves into the Green Phase, Dock Street anticipates a maximum of 50% capacity at both of its locations, compared to pre-COVID projections. We are not open for the same hours, we are not operating with the same number of seats and we are not anticipating the same amount of business. In a cash flow-based business with narrow margins, this unfortunately translates to fewer available staff positions than existed pre-pandemic.
So how to decide who fills these limited positions? Dock Street has maintained a handful of staff that wanted to work through the pandemic, some of whom have been in the company for many years. For the few completely new positions opening with the Yellow Phase, Dock Street felt this should be interview and performance based - meeting in person to check-in, discuss the new business model and see that everyone is on the same page. This was communicated with pre-Covid staff and asked that they apply with resumes and availability if they were interested in working in the midst of a pandemic, in these new positions, and at Dock Street Brewery. There was never any implication that pre-Covid staffers would not be welcomed back in new positions or that they would have to jump through hoops to return. This ask was met with a social media boycott callout and a list of demands that had not been previously denied, including one or two that were never expressed to management. They were taken to the internet and a public forum.
Beyond that and down the road, Dock Street also intended to open up job opportunities to the public to give other out-of-work folks in the neighborhood a chance to come contribute to what we hope will be a diverse and talented team made up of some familiar faces and some new faces as well.
Much of this information has been communicated in emails, in pieces as it came to light, to pre-Covid staff. It really feels like we are not hearing each other. Communication is not always perfect, or easy, especially during a pandemic, and this is no exception. We can do better, and the conversation is still underway and Dock Street will continue to keep those lines of communication open in a positive, constructive and respectful way.
A lot of misinformation and opinions are circulating the internet. Dock Street Brewery would like to clarify and reiterate a few things:
With the exception of two temporary positions - folks who are helping us out while we reopen - every employee currently working at Dock Street is an Pre-Covid-19 employee we’ve been able to hire back, some employed for several years. We have not abandoned our dedicated staff.
We are not able to hire everyone back. Our capacity is limited by law and a changed industry and that business does not exist. We don’t know when it will return.
PPE has always been provided and will continue to be provided. Never has it been denied. Never has it not been easily, readily and plentifully available on location.
The sentiments shared do not represent our entire staff. We are not taking away from the fact that some employees were hurt and felt abandoned. We are doing the best we can and are trying to build a more equitable business going forward.
Dock Street has not denied available jobs
Dock Street has not denied demands
Dock Street has not been silent
Since its founding in 1985, Dock Street has dedicated itself to fostering and championing equality and diversity, across its staff, guests, and charitable and collaborative efforts. Dock Street has strived to be a valuable member of its community and will continue to emphasize and elevate these ideals as it recovers, rebuilds, and returns to serving the Philadelphia community.
Thank you to the members of the community who came forward, privately and publicly, in the spirit of communication, discussion, asking questions and seeking solid facts and information
Thank you to our West Philly community, which inspires and challenges Dock Street to be better every day! Your faith in us and your support means the world. We look forward to many more years of hosting you here for meals, weddings, showers, meetings, fundraisers, drives, readings, performances + all the wonderful things you do that make our neighborhood what it is today.