ELKO – Coronavirus restrictions have hampered many local eateries. Most restaurants have been working at half capacity and doing some delivery or customer pick-up. Others operate with drive-through only.
The Samra family owns Teriyaki Madness and Little Caesars. When they contemplated the difficulties of doing business during the lockdown, they decided to take the bull by the horns and formulate their own delivery business.
“We noticed the month the pandemic hit that it was starting two weeks ahead of us, so we were predicting if it would come here, too,” said business owner Gurpreet Samra.
“We were not sure if we would have to completely shut down,” Gurpreet said. “We were thinking of alternative ideas. We got the drive-through open at Teriyaki Madness so we would have that working. We needed to start a delivery, too.”
The new business, Delivery Boys, started with just delivering food from Teriyaki Madness and Little Caesars, but it has grown tremendously since then.
Sierra Java and Odeh’s soon came on board, and other restaurants have followed.
“They took the order in store and then they would give us a text message,” said Sim Samra. “We would go pick up the order and take it to the customer. We did that for a solid three months until we could get a system down so we could have everything online centrally located. We have an app now.”
People can go to the Delivery Boys website and download an Apple or Android app for their phones.
The business now has a dispatcher and about 15 drivers. The Samras are currently looking for more drivers.
“Our team (of restaurants) is growing every other week, too,” Sim said. “Currently we have 31, but we might have 35 to 40 by the end of next week.”
“We also have alcohol delivery,” Gurpreet said. “We are the only delivery service that can do this because we have the license.”
“The average Delivery Boy order is about 20 to 35 minutes,” Sim said.
The time may very per restaurant and according to where the delivery will be made. The business currently serves Elko, Spring Creek, South Fork and as far east as Ryndon. Soon they will be adding Carlin.
“It starts up at $4.99 for the delivery fee and there is a $2 service (fee per order),” Sim said.
“Our whole motto is ‘We are a locally based delivery service that wants to bring the convenience of a city to our local community’,” Sim said.
“It’s a convenience,” Gurpreet said.
The owners have been talking about starting this type of service for a number of years, but the pandemic made the move essential.
Restaurants can use the delivery service by going to the website and filling out a restaurant partner application.
“We bring customers to the businesses versus the businesses supplying the customers,” Gurpreet said. “We market the restaurants.”
“We take care of the logistics so you can just do your business,” Sim said.
The business will soon be offering delivery of essential products like water, milk, diapers, baby food, toilet paper and wipes. People can log on and have these items delivered directly to their homes or workplace.
--
Elko-area businesses react to coronavirus:
Elko Junction

Some stores in Elko Junction remained opened while others closed shop. "We are staying open until 'they' tell us we can't," said a Jo-Ann employee.
Elite Storage

A digital board for Elite Storage announces its closure and asks drivers to stay safe on March 18. Most businesses throughout Elko shut their doors after Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered casinos and non-essential businesses to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gold Dust West

As of March 18, Gold Dust West had closed its doors to the public, following an order put out by Gov. Steve Sisolak demanding casino closures.
St. Patrick's day Remains

A single beer bottle sits empty downtown after the St. Patrick's Day holiday.
Brothel

Elko's brothels are asking the city to waive half of their licensing fee for 2020 due to the state-mandated closure of their businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sierra Jewelry and Loan

The pawn shop on Idaho Street put out a sign beckoning customers the day after Governor Sisolak ordered "non-essential" businesses to close. Store owner Mary O'Connor Coats contacted our offices and explained that Sierra Jewelry and Loan is allowed to remain open as a "financial institution."
This text was amended March 25 to include the second sentence.
Bank Takes Precaution

Washington Federal Bank, located at Fifth and Railroad streets, notified customers of their COVID-19 safety measures. Banks were keeping drive-throughs and ATMs open.
Empower Fitness in Spring Creek

Empower Fitness' Spring Creek location posted a notice alerting customers the gym would close at 8 p.m. March 18 in response to Gov. Steve Sisolak's order for non-essential businesses to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Roy's Market

Customers enter Roy's Market March 18. Grocery stores are allowed to stay open under the new COVID-19 safety regulations.
McAdoo's Restaurant

A sign in front of McAdoo's directed customers how to order food on Wednesday, a day after Gov. Steve Sisolak directed restaurants to close their dine-in facilities. Restaurants can still offer pickup, delivery and drive-through service.
Muley's in Spring Creek

Like most restaurants in Elko, Muley's in Spring Creek, pictured on March 18, has closed its dining area and provided a phone number for take-out orders. By order of Gov. Steve Sisolak, casinos and non-essential businesses have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with restaurants given the option of staying open but provide delivery or take-out options.
Elko Barber Shop

The downtown barber shop remains open, despite orders that close salons in response to COVID-19.
Dotty's

Dotty's at the Elko Junction Shopping Center closed under the required casino shutdown.
Spring Creek Association

A notice tells Spring Creek Association property owners how to pay their dues on March 18.
VFW Post 2350

A sign on the Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting hall informs the public about their response to stemming the spread of the coronavirus.
Cinema 6

Cinema 6 on the West end of town has closed its doors until further notice. Movie theaters are among the "nonessential" businesses ordered closed for 30 days by the governor of Nevada.