Merit Coffee installed sneeze guards over the weekend. The coronavirus has caused many businesses that are still open to take precautionary measures to keep their patrons and their workers safe from disease. One such precaution is a sneeze guard. Over the weekend, Merit Coffee installed sneeze guards in all of the San Antonio locations, as well as Austin. Sneeze guards help protect both staff and customers alike from the COVID-19 respiratory disease that easily spreads.

Merit Coffee has remained open during the coronavirus pandemic since dine-in restaurants and beverage shops are allowed to sell its products to-go, according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s shelter-in-place order. However, they are not keeping their doors open without taking wise precautions.

Creative Manager for Merit, Justin Frey explains that the local coffee company decided to partner with SaniSafe, the same company that installed protective partitions inside H-E-B last month to do the same at Merit Coffee. “Being open, it’s a responsibility to keep everyone safe,” Frey said. “We want to do our part and let the community know we take their safety seriously. They are the reason we are still open and we are so grateful for that.”

The sneeze guards were installed in the San Antonio locations on Friday, April 17th. Austin coffee shops were scheduled to receive the shields on Saturday, and the Merit Coffee shops in Dallas will implement the new safety precaution this week.

 

During the pandemic, many businesses have closed indefinitely or have had to furlough or layoff staff members. Frey explains that Merit Coffee has not had to do this. He “thankfully” credits Merit’s consistent community for supporting the company through the pandemic.

There are five Merit Coffee cafes in San Antonio: Stone Oak (700 E. Sonterra Blvd.); Alamo Heights (5903 Broadway St.); Medical Center (7338 Louis Pasteur Dr.); Leon Springs (24175 W IH10); and Shavano Park (4115 Pond Hill Lane).

All locations remain open for curbside or takeaway from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. However, the Alamo Heights and Medical Center cafes close at 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on Merit Coffee’s to-go options, visit meritcoffeetogo.com.