After floodwaters poured into the streets of Ames, many businesses were out of operation, especially restaurants. With a lack of clean water and unsafe conditions, it has been hard to keep dining services afloat both on and off campus, but things are looking up.

ISU Dining plans on opening all of the dining centers and convenient stores as scheduled. They will, however, be operating slightly differently than normal. ISU Dining will be serving only bottled beverages and some juice made from clean, bottled water. Food and drink will be served with disposable dinnerware to erase the need for water to wash the dishes.

“The dining centers will be opened as scheduled,” said ISU Dining marketing coordinator Brittney Rutherford. “We will be serving bottled beverages, and any big containers of water we have are filled with clean water.”

Off-campus dining is beginning to open once again, with the exception of those restaurants that are flooded and still cleaning up. Other restaurants are opening with new regulations set by the city of Ames. The restaurants may open, if they have working toilets, serve only canned or bottled beverages, and use disposable dinnerware. For some, like Hickory Park, this means take-out only.

“We are getting much business because the media is saying all restaurants in Ames are closed,” said Hickory Park’s front manager Tracy Drury. “We are serving carry-out because the city will not let us serve dine-in. But we have 215 employees and it is our duty to try to generate income for them.”

Qdoba Mexican Grill, on the other hand, is taking the opportunity to give back to the community in its time of need. The restaurant has opened once again and is providing coupons for its club members for a $5 meal deal throughout the month of August. In addition to this, Qdoba is also having an event on Au. 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in which 100 percent of all sales with be donated to the American Red Cross Lincoln Way Chapter.

“I think it is important for us to give back,” said Qdoba Mexican Grill Operating Partner Ted Horan. “I don’t understand how someone could watch TV and see what’s going on and not want to help.”

After the rush for bottled water, grocery stores are receiving normal business and working a bit differently.

“We worked with the health inspector to make sure things were safe,” said Hy-Vee director Monty Streit. “We have to boil water to wash utensils and hands like we do for catering and grilling, but indoor now.”

Once Hy-Vee restocked its water supply, it donated two semis full of water to help the city provide clean water for residents.