After months of only being able to offer curb side pick-up and delivery, Lethbridge restaurant owners are happy to open their doors to in-person dining once again.
The limitations on business operations were especially tough for restaurant owners who had to continue to cover the cost of running their business with decreased revenue.
Sonder Coffee Bar owner, Jacqueline DeMaere says it’s been hard, but government subsidies helped a lot to stay open, while only being able to offer curbside pickup and takeout. She is happy to have customers at her establishment once again, because thanks to the dine-in service, her business is sustainable. Even though the number of customers she sees is not at a pre-pandemic level yet.
“It’s been wonderful to have that opening and I am really looking forward to this summer with our outside patio and as well as our expansion, so that we have that space for people to feel safe,” said DeMaere.
The expansion, which will be adding the adjacent establishment to the existent space, is set to be ready for the summer and will provide more seating to accommodate for social distancing, as well as a bigger kitchen.
More sitting space means more business, but for Italian Table this is only half of their revenue as they also provide catering services.
Italian Table proprietor Michael Marcotte says his business also relies on catering events through Prime Catering, which has been put on hold since last year.
But even though he is still only operating part of his business, he says having the ability to offer dine-in service once again has been beneficial for everyone involved.
“It’s great to have people back in the restaurant, both guests and great to have staff back in the restaurant. Staff were more than excited to come back,” said Marcotte.
He adds employees are working part-time, which is beneficial for them because this way they qualify to get toped up with the federal CERB support program.
“We are excited to be back in business, guests are coming in and they are excited to be back. Revenue has been good for 50 per cent capacity, but we’re a long way from out of the woods yet, so hopefully things will open up soon,” added Marcotte.
Now that dine-in service is available, restaurant owners are hopeful that business will continue to increase in the next few months.
Even though some restrictions have been lifted, restaurants are still required to have a maximum of six people per table from the same household, or three people where they are two close contacts for someone living alone.