Innisfil entered Stage 3 of the COVID-19 reopening on Friday.
Under the latest provincial orders, places of business including fitness centres, bars and indoor restaurants are now permitted to open to the public, as long as they maintain safety measures that include use of hand-sanitizer, and physical distancing.
“We’re happy to be open,” said Manny Mehra, owner of the Stacked pancake and breakfast house restaurants in Stroud, Angus and Barrie.
Stacked opened its outdoor patio last week. As of this Friday, customers could also choose to sit inside – although Mehra noted that the restaurant looks a little different now.
Some tables have been removed, to allow greater physical distancing; others are closed by the simple expedient of placing a sticker on the table. Under the new rules, no more than 50 people can be seated inside at one time.
There are other changes. Masks are mandatory for the staff, and customers are required to use the hand sanitizer provided.
“And instead of giving mints at the end of the meal, we give out wet wipes,” said Mehra. “It’s about making customers feel safe. It’s our job. It’s one thing that’s huge for us.”
He admitted that the past four months of closures and partial opening have been “rough.”
“It’s just good to see our staff back at work,” Mehra said. “Government has been really good with support for small business, but at the end of the day, we don’t want to rely on government.”
Over at the St. Louis Bar & Grill in Alcona, customers have been greeting the reopening of the interior with relief.
“It’s nice to be inside, in the A/C,” explained staffer Cassady Smith. The patio has been popular, “but we don’t have a lot of shade. They ask for umbrellas, but we don’t have a lot of those,” she admitted.
Before they are allowed inside, customers are asked to wear face masks (although they can be removed to eat and drink). Staff ask about recent travel history, and take down the information needed for potential contact tracing. Squirts of hand-sanitizer are offered to all guests.
As for the seating, plexiglass screens have been installed between booths, and some areas are off limits, to maintain social distancing.
“It’s definitely a change we have to get used to,” said Smith, admitting that she had some concerns about being in an enclosed space as the pandemic continues.
Fork & Plate Family Restaurant was still getting ready for its full reopening at 4 p.m.
The popular restaurant, located on 25 Sideroad, has been surviving on curbside take-out and more recently, its expanded outdoor patio area.
To reopen the interior of the restaurant, Shea Burton and staff have made numerous changes – removing some of the tables, simplifying the décor to make it easier to clean, and reducing the menu.
“We kept the Fan Favourites" and daily specials, Burton said. "Liver and onions. We’re doing meatloaf tonight. Fish and chips. And our burgers are amazing."
The restaurant will be at 50 percent capacity, to maintain social distancing – with “social distancing bears” helping to show diners which booths are closed.
There have also been changes to the hours. During the week, The Fork and Plate is open for dinner only, from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Breakfast is now only available on Saturdays and Sundays, when the restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And the doors are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
With all of the changes, Burton does recommend reservations for dinner – although breakfast remains “first come, first served.”
“We’re trying to play it safe,” he said. “We’ve lost a lot of seating, but we want to make sure everyone’s still happy – and safe!”
Then it was back to work, getting ready to welcome diners back inside.
“I’m hoping it’ll be a busy night tonight,” Burton said – smiling behind his face mask.
