Windsor restaurant patios prepare for Friday's reopening, but don't forget your etiquette
Ontario is on the cusp of getting back to business.
On Friday morning, a number of different types of businesses will enter step one of the province’s new reopening framework, including in-person restaurant dining on outdoor patios.
Reopening Windsor-Essex: timeline of what's open and closed
Despite the list of rules like masking while moving around, contact tracing and four-person table limits, restauranteurs are over-the-moon about the return.
“The hope was there, dashed. And the hope was there, and dashed again,” says John Flynn, the taphouse manager at Chapter Two Brewing in Walkerville. “It seems like this is hopefully going to stick.”
Staff are also back and busy setting up the extended patio at Jose’s Bar and Grill on Howard Avenue in Windsor. The restaurant has been grinding it out with takeout-only options for the last few months.
“Tomorrow we’ll be so busy and it’s going to be joyous and fun. Fun. That’s the key word,” says Ernie Nesbitt, a co-owner at Jose’s.
Despite financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, the ownership group is staying positive, and investing heavily in a large, outdoor patio to safely fit as many customers as possible.
“You’ve gotta make bold decisions. There’s no room for scaling back and holding back, you gotta believe in the future,” Nesbitt says. “It’s brought a new element to our business and quite frankly, I think el fresco dining will be a thing of the future and I think it’s here to stay.”
The owner at Walkerville Eatery says they’ve been here before, but remains cautiously optimistic restaurants will be able to stay open for the remainder of the season by following the province’s rules and keeping customers safe and happy.
“We’re going at it as if this is a new beginning. We’re going to take care of our guests,” says Mark Hawken of Walkerville Brewery. “And have them come in, welcome them back and hopefully, stay open.”
Bars and restaurants will now be able to stay open and serve guests until 2 a.m.
Hawken has hired almost entirely new staff, which is busy doing last minute prep ahead of the big day.
“We just make it happen. And that’s what we’re going to do starting tomorrow, and it’s what we do best, that’s why we’re in the business,” he says.
PANDEMIC DINING ETIQUETTE
While everyone’s excited to get back to business, customers would do well to brush up on their pandemic dining etiquette, says Adriano Ciotoli of Windsor Eats.
“Try not to ruin it, to put it nicely,” Ciotoli says.
He’s sharing a etiquette tip-sheet for customers to keep in mind, including many important considerations:
- -Make reservations: It’s the least you can do when dining out. It helps a restaurant prep the right amount of food, eliminating waste and allows them to staff properly. Every bit of saved money counts.
- -Don’t bail on reservations: Restaurants typically lose money when someone makes a reservation and then doesn’t show up.
- -Don’t complain: All the restaurants are doing what’s legally mandated of them during the pandemic. Don’t like giving your contact into? Don’t like scanning a QR code? Don’t like wearing a mask? Don’t dine out.
- -Wear a mask: We’re how long into this thing and you still won’t wear a mask? Give your head a shake. Whether you like it on not, it’s mandated to wear within restaurants. Show the staff some common courtesy and wear it.
- -Keep yourself on time: The counts for arriving for your reservation and also the duration of your seating. Many restaurants have mandated time allotments to help them maximize revenue since their capacity is reduced. This is done to help them survive. Don’t push it.
- -Stick to your own table: No one cares if it’s a long-lost uncle a few tables down from you. Restaurants can be fined heavily during the pandemic for people not remaining seated. They’re already struggling and don’t need more expenses because of your selfish nonsense.
- -The limit is the limit: You absolutely cannot squeeze one more person in, I don’t care how skinny you all are. There are legally mandated limits as to how many people can be seated at a table (four). End of discussion.
- -Be courteous: This goes for your actions towards the restaurant and to other diners. Be mindful of your surroundings and how close you are. Everyone is just trying to have a nice night and forget about their stresses for an hour or two.
“These people have been through so much and have so much stress on their shoulders right now,” says Ciotoli, noting everyone is doing their best to make things run smoothly — and safely — so they can remain open.
“Be patient and be kind. This isn’t about any of the politics or restrictions behind it, it’s about being a good person,” he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.