The Peru Gazette

L-R Gary Morette, Jody Renaudette, Mike Petrivelli

By John T. Ryan

Peru – 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for the restaurant industry. Livingood’s Restaurant and Brewery is facing all the well-publicized rules and regulations. Co-managers Gary Morette and Jody Renaudette describe the past several months as a period of adapting, learning and finding ways to keep customers and staff safe while growing the business.

During April, Livingood’s business model changed from primarily eat-in to take-out. Instead of predictable in-house orders, they had to respond to often rapid phone call orders. Gary explained, “One of the first things we did was reorganize the kitchen. Everything had to be labeled so that employees could easily find what they were looking for.” Jody added, “We also learned that we had to schedule five or six take-out orders for a time frame, like at 5 p.m.  We had to serve both a good take-out business and our in-house customers.” Restaurants are still limited to 50% of capacity. Jody said, “We have the advantage of having a lot of space. We can accommodate 125 people and still keep them socially distanced.”

Known and loved as a brew-pub, Livingood’s has hired a new brewer. Mike Petrivelli, a Syracuse native, joined the staff in late July. Thanks to Mike’s experience and brewing skills, Livingood’s still offers its longtime favorite brews and has added several more. Customers have a choice of 15 house-brewed IPAs, porters, lagers, stouts and pilsners. Recognizing that not everyone prefers craft beers, Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Budweiser, Corona, and a non-alcoholic beer are included in the menu.

Probably the most exciting change happened about a month ago when Livingood’s hired a custom beer canner. Several hundred 4-packs of JED IPA were in the first canning run. Yesterday, they canned Live For Today IPA and Maple Vanilla Porter. The canned products are sold at the restaurant and at an expanding number of local stores, including Richard’s Grocery and Bark’s Beer Cave in Plattsburgh, Arnolds Grocery in Keeseville, and the Craft Beer Center in Keene. That list is expanding almost daily, so look for Livingood’s beer at your favorite store.

Gary Morette and Jody Renaudette are both restaurant veterans who seem to thrive on their daily challenges. They’re very excited about Livingood’s future and grateful for the tremendous support from Livingood’s owners Jon Rulfs and Shannon Rulfs Wilkins. Jody remarked, “We’re going to make this succeed.” Gary and Jody know that success doesn’t happen without competent staff. Jody commented, “Everybody’s family. Almost all the staff is back. We’re a big happy family.” Both managers believe that happy staff, combined with ownership support, good food and beverages are the critical ingredients for satisfied customers and Livingood’s future success.