'A better kind of work': A look back at the first weekend of Step 1 in Windsor-Essex
Employees across all sectors gladly went back to work or welcomed extra customers for the first time in two months.
“It is more work but it is a better kind of work,” says Lauren Hare, the general manager of The Dotte restaurant in East Windsor.
“It’s (patio service) a lot more enjoyable, to me, (because) we all love interacting with our the public and our neighbourhood,” she says.
The first weekend of patio service was such a success, The Dotte is now hiring for all positions so they can start booking their entire patio and tent table section.
“I was so happy to be able to serve people again,” Hare says.
Meantime in Essex reopening to customers came just as staff were at “a breaking point” according to Home Hardware owner Kimberly Seguin-Gauthier.
“To keep up with the demand of every single customer having to phone, pickup curbside, or online order. It’s been a nice refresher, not having the phones ringing 24-7,” says Seguin-Gauthier.
In Amherstburg, the first Open Air Weekend was a success, at least according to Matthew Johnston, owner and head chef of Artisan Grill.
“Now everybody’s going to be back to work and making money,” says Johnston.
“I would say the only downfall is people wanted to stay all night.”
Back in Windsor, the City’s bylaw enforcement didn’t issue any pandemic tickets and parking enforcement wasn’t overly active, even though usage was up.
“Our parking payments went up 18 per cent,” says Bill Kralovensky, manager of parking enforcement. “That’s people parking at meters and in our surface lots.”
The parking garages meantime saw 20 per cent more traffic this past weekend than the weekend before.
And yet, users were complying as the city only issued two additional tickets then the weekend before reopening.
“So that means people are getting the word, and paying for the spots,” adds Kralovensky.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.