Like other area restaurants, Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits closed its dining room in March and had to quickly decide what to do next.

By amping up its social media presence and introducing a few new initiatives, the restaurant has been able to continue serving its customers their favorite pizza pies, sushi and more.

“After 20 years in the restaurant business, you just figure out how to make it work and keep your guests happy,” said owner Robert Royster. “With so many restaurants closing down, Ruckus knew it was the best thing for us to stay open and do the best we could do for our guests.”

A few new offerings include a cook-your-own pizza kit, which kids and families can cook together by following along with a video on Ruckus’ Facebook Page. Customers can also take part in online music bingo and special live musical performances via Facebook. On winruckus.com, you can spin to win game a free pizza. And, on Fridays at 5 p.m. Ruckus opens its Zoom Bar to help keep staff and guests stay connected, as if they were pulling up a chair at the restaurant.

“We like finding things to do and that people can look forward to,” Royster said.

In addition to helping their customers keep their spirits up, the restaurant also launched a GoFundMe page, where people can donate to feed frontline workers. A $7.50 donation feeds one essential staff member and $240 feeds an entire department. Food deliveries are made each Tuesday to workers onsite.

“We always take care of those that take care of us,” Royster said.

As for the Ruckus staff, the restaurant was lucky to get a PPP loan and earn CARES act funding to keep staff employed and paid throughout this time.

“We look forward to finding a new normal quickly and getting back to business,” Royster said. “It’s been a long, hard road but Ruckus is always up to the challenge.”