Restaurants continue to go about business as pandemic measures remain the same. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Managing measures

Restaurants continuing to navigate pandemic procedures

Mar 3, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant owners in the Battlefords have resigned themselves to an altered daily operation in their respective establishments.

The current measures of three metres between tables that have no impermeable barriers and a limit of four per table have been in place for months now and will remain until at least March 19. Blend Restaurant and Bar owner Robin Petersen said as a high-volume restaurant, the biggest hurdles through this process have been adapting to every introduction of new measures.

“With [things] changing all the time, it’s made operations more difficult,” he said. “It’s challenging for us to figure things out [constantly].”

Like many restaurant owners, Petersen said they’ve had to rely on takeout and delivery orders in far greater detail. While businesses continue to look into available options for relief when necessary, Petersen said it’s still notable where particular sectors are in need, compared to those thriving, like grocery chains.

“There could be little more focuses on certain businesses hit hard,” he said.

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Since Christmas, Petersen said business has been inconsistent. While many nights they’re able to maximize the available tables they have, there are stretches around when the province nears a deadline where things have slowed down.

“Sometimes it’s busy, sometimes it won’t be and there’s no rhyme or reason for it,” Petersen said. “Seems to depend on what the mood on the news is and what people are thinking for restrictions. It’s really up and down.”

Rache Bunnell, owner of the Cup Café & Bakery, said she’s seen a similar trend.

“Anytime there’s some kind of announcement, or if we are waiting for things to change, we seem to slow down,” she said.

Back in the early days of the pandemic, Bunnell shifted to smaller custom cakes and other items, as well as adding a drive-thru option. She said it’s provided them with 80-90 per cent of their business during the pandemic, with people taken extra caution.

“Even though people are allowed to come in for pick up orders, not everyone is comfortable with that,” she said.

Bunnell said they’ll have to keep trying to find innovative ways to attract customers and let people know they remain open, adding that people in the community have been pretty good about supporting local business. However, she isn’t expecting any easing of restrictions soon.

“At this point we just have bear with and continue with drive-thru,” Bunnell said. “It’s hard to remain hopeful that things will change as far as measures.”

“We’re just trying to get the word out there that we are still open and attract people [to stop by].”

Vaccinations changing attitudes?

Rachel Lee, owner of the Beaver Grill Express, said there’s been an increase in seniors coming through their doors since vaccinations began weeks ago.

“People are finding it a little bit more comfortable to come out and our space is really wide open now,” she said. “So, maybe they feel a bit better about coming out now because of that.”

Beaver Grill Express had lost 10 tables following the province’s mandate, but Lee said they’ve been able to still take up to 65 people. Her hope is that the province will make an announcement that makes it easier for families to dine together, as they often have families of five, where there’s one infant.

“So, instead of two different tables for one group, we can have an extra table come in,” she said.

Other situations that have popped up include where a group of 10 will spread out into three tables and then risk forgetting distancing rules at the end of the meal. Lee said they’ve managed to navigate those interactions thus far.

“As long as they do what they need to do, hopefully this time will go by smoothly.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports