We are proud to announce that as of April 14, 2021 over 97% of our entire staff at both Wes Wings and Red & Black Cafe have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. 32% have received second doses or a single JnJ dose.

We have been relentless as we have worked to get as many of our staff vaccinated as quickly as possible. With over seventy employees who are younger including over fifty students, it has been challenging.

Over the past two months, Karen and Ed waited day after day hoping for extra doses at Vine street and other locations, eventually getting them. We’ve driven staff to their appointments including 15 who we were able to get vaccinated off a waitlist March 28th at a local clinic.

All of our efforts culminated in a vaccination clinic that we hosted today with the Middletown Department of Health at Wes Wings. We were able to get almost all of our remaining staff their first shot. In addition, we provided shots for their family members, roommates and housemates. After reaching out to Wesleyan, we were also able to get 12 custodial employees their first shots as well. A total of 66 people received their first Moderna shot today.

Thank you. Everyone. It is impossible to list every person.

We have completed the fall semester during the most difficult conditions in our 30 years and can proudly say it was an overwhelming success. But it took everyone’s help. Students, Wesleyan staff and administrators, Covid testing staff, the weather and most importantly our staff at Wes Wings and Red & Black Cafe.

When we abruptly closed last March there were so many uncertainties and how and when we might reopen was not clear. It took a tremendous amount of planning and hard work with our staff to create a system that was both safe and efficient while maintaining our menu and overall appeal that has made both of our restaurants so popular over the decades.

We told our customers the best way to help us come back from the financial hardship of last spring was to buy wings, mozzarella sticks, cookie dough, panini and smoothies. And you didn’t disappoint. You wore your masks and waited in long lines and your patience and cooperation contributed to this semester’s success. While shortened by several weeks, the fall semester was one of our most successful ever. October was the busiest month either location has ever experienced. And while we still have not fully recovered financially, we have made significant gains and both restaurants are on sound footing heading into the extended winter break.

The spring semester will look similar to the fall. We will still have our plexiglass. The doors will be open. The masks will be on. We’ll continue to kindly ask “if you have your food, could you please exit the waiting area so others can enter” The Patio Grill will return when the weather is warm enough. We look forward to expanding our specials and yes we are even thinking about Pail-A-Palooza and LobsterFest.

Please be safe during the winter break. We will enjoy a little break and time to rest and all of us will be ready to do it all again in February.

-Karen & Ed

A guide to all the changes at WesWings (in these unprecedented times)

1. Takeout only. There is no inside dining at Swings at this time but plenty of outside tables.
2. Order at the counter inside or outside for a quick special at the patio grill
3. Meal Plan points, Middletown cash, credit cards. No cash.
4. Open Everyday 11am-8pm

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for daily specials and updates.