Jamie Charles is still hoping people will stop by his restaurant. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
take out

Cravings last non-franchised restaurant open in tri-communities

Mar 24, 2020 | 12:58 PM

It was only a few weeks ago Cravings Late Night Food Owner Jamie Charles introduced breakfast at his restaurant in Air Ronge.

“People were loving it and we were happy, then all of this stuff came into play and rules were changing very fast,” he said. “We had to comply with everything just to stay open. Things have got worse around the world and it’s been quite a ride the last couple of weeks.”

His restaurant, which he owns with his wife Charmaine, is the last remaining non-franchised food establishment in the tri-communities still open. But, as of today, Charles drastically reduced business hours and introduced changes to eliminate the spread of COVID-19.

The new hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., seven days per week, and delivery is no longer available. Charles explained customers will no longer be able to enter the building and are encouraged to honk once parked outside. A menu will be available on their Facebook page online and customer are asked to e-transfer the payment.

“We’re offering food, but in a different way,” he said. “We had to think about that over the time. We do want to keep working and I do have staff who want to work, but at the same time, safety is at mind. I will be laying off a few of my staff because of the cut back hours to see how we do through this.”

Charles also mentioned there are still many people who need access to food during the pandemic like truck drivers and emergency workers.

Other restaurants currently open in the tri-communities are Dairy Queen Grill and Chill, KFC, Little Caesars and Subway.

As of March 20, provincial restrictions due to COVID-19 included no public gatherings of more than 25 people in one room and the closure of all nightclubs, bars, lounges and similar facilities. Take out of alcohol or food products are permitted with two-metre distancing between customers and the delivery of alcohol or food products.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

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