'It’s really good news for us': Windsor-Essex businesses happy to welcome more customers with capacity limits lifted
Opening a business is always stressful, especially when you do it during a pandemic.
“It’s been ups and downs, it’s been heartache and loss, it’s been joy it’s been celebration, back to heartache again,” said Renaldo Agostino, owner of Turbo Espresso Bar in downtown Windsor.
But starting Monday, Agostino hopes to put the hurdle of capacity limits behind him.
“Every business is excited to take those signs off the doors. To finally say you know what, if you wanna come in here, if you’re double vaccinated, come on in and have a good time, you should feel safe,” Agostino said.
Same goes for The Dotte in Olde Riverside.
“It’s really good news for us,” said manager Lauren Hare.
The street food and cocktail restaurant opened in March 2020, and has never known “normal.”
The smaller dining room has a capacity of 34 people — which made things difficult for the budding restaurant.
“We definitely had to turn away a few tables, just because of the limits inside and the distancing, so it’s good that we can actually have more people in here,” Hare said.
Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced Ontario’s plan to safely reopen and laid out the roadmap to manage COVID-19 for the long term on Friday.
As of Monday, capacity restrictions for restaurants, gyms and casinos in Ontario will be lifted effective Oct. 25at 12:01 a.m. Proof of vaccination of COVID-19 is still required for eligible residents.
Craftheads Brewing Company has quite a bit of work to do reorganizing tables to get ready for Monday a small price to pay to get more people inside.
“I feel like it’s a step in the right direction,” Jason Barsotta, Craftheads brewer, said.
The brewery looking ahead to the coming months where the team is hopeful to once again start hosting large groups.
“Having the capacities open up, it will help out with Christmas parties, holiday parties, company parties, whatever it may be,” Barsotta said.
Gyms have also had a tough go with prolonged lockdowns and business-stifling capacity limits
“It’s just one less obstacle that we’ve got to go through to get people comfortable exercising again. So it’s nothing but good, is the reality,” Mike Bates, owner of Refine Fitness, said.
Having a roadmap to the end of the pandemic is welcome — but cautious optimism continues to be the prevailing attitude at the downtown Windsor business improvement association.
“We’ve had this interview so many times, I’d love to say yes, this is it, we’re done, back to normal,” downtown Windsor BIA chair Brian Yeomans said. “But we still need to remain vigilant, we still need to remain safe.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
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.
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.
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.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
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.