GREENFIELD — When the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end and restaurants begin to reopen to diners, Hattapon’s Thai Kitchen won’t be one of them.
Owners Beth Greeney and Hattaporn Wattanarat decided months ago to close in the spring, and Gov. Charlie Baker’s temporary restrictions on dining room service to slow the spread of COVID-19 only made the decision easier.
“I think we would have closed anyway. I don’t think it would have been worth it,” Greeney said. “It’s been a great run.”
Wattanarat, who grew up in northeastern Thailand, came to the United States at age 38 in 1998 to learn English, unaware that she wanted to be in the restaurant business. After working in another Thai restaurant in Amherst, she realized she wanted to work for herself, and joined forces with Greeney to start Hattapon’s Thai Kitchen 14 years ago. The business was originally located at 221 Main St., where Ice Cream Alley now sits, before moving to 265 Main St. after four years.
Greeney said the two had plans to continue selling food at festivals, but it appears as though the coronavirus pandemic will prevent those from taking place. She said she and Wattanarat are considering getting a food truck.
“Things are kind of in limbo right now,” Greeney said. “Our future right now is a little uncertain, as is so many other people’s futures.”
She and Wattanarat said they are grateful to their loyal customers.
Greeney had no comment when asked if rumors were true about issues with the new landlord, Timothy Grader, a developer and investor who purchased Cohn & Company from Robert Cohn late last year.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.