COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant in German Village is once again taking orders for carryout and delivery.
The current coronavirus pandemic forced Schmidt’s to close March 20 when a team member was tested for COVID-19 as a precaution because of indirect exposure.
The test came back negative. In the past few weeks, the restaurant says staff members worked tirelessly to clean and sanitize the building for Monday's reopening that will only include carryout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 8p.m.
“We wanted to over-emphasize and be safe,” Schmidt told 10 This Morning anchor Angela An. “And now not that we’ve turned out for the better, we’ve opened back up.”
Since 1886, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant can count on one hand the number of times it was forced to close the south Columbus staple.
“I’d say the fire (1983) was one of the biggest challenges,” says Andy Schmidt with Schmidt Hospitality Concepts and one of the family members running one of central Ohio’s longest-standing family businesses. “I also remember living in German Village in the blizzard of ’78 and snow trucks being stuck.”
Looking back over more than 130 years, Schmidt says there are a few key things he believes helped the family business survive through tough times. Helping others has always been a priority.
During the Great Depression in 1929, Schmidt’s grandfather was handing out pig knuckles to the hungry in downtown Columbus.
“That’s critical in a time of challenges today to hand out and look out for others,” he says, saying it’s important to look out for your neighbors even during difficult times like the current pandemic.
“My dad really showed thanks when things went right and even when things went wrong, and that really showed courage to my brothers and nephews who are leading the company now,” Schmidt adds.
When a fire destroyed the restaurant building in 1983, Schmidt’s opened a tent in the parking lot with customers coming back in droves.
“I would say perseverance is key and stay positive,” he says with a smile. “And if I may quote Bill Carnegie, who said – ‘attitude is everything.'"
