Thayer's Deli Overcomes Coronavirus, Reopening Announced

JOLIET, IL — After being shutdown for more than a week because of the coronavirus, Thayer Bros. Deli, one of Joliet's favorite neighborhood restaurants, will be making lunch and dinner meals come Wednesday morning. Owner Rick Thayer told Joliet Patch that he, along with one of the employees and that employee's daughter, were diagnosed with the coronavirus.

When Thayer's announced its temporary closing more than a week ago, only the employee's daughter had tested positive, he said.

Since then, Thayer and his fellow employee also came back with positive tests, he said Monday.

Thayer told Patch that he plans to remain at home, and won't be back at the restaurant when it reopens at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

"I'm staying home and laying low," Rick Thayer remarked Monday. "I feel fine other than the fact that I tested positive. I'm just going to play it safe."

Thayer said he hopes to undergo a follow-up coronavirus test later this week to determine whether he no longer has the virus.

He said the employee who came down with the illness is fine now.

"Everybody else is good to go," he said.

Thayer's Deli, 753 Ruby St., will resume its regular hours effective Wednesday.

Thayer's is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Thayer's will be open for indoor dining guests as well as takeout orders, Rick Thayer advised.

This article originally appeared on the Joliet Patch