Restaurants, bars and clubs navigate their ‘new world’
City businesses begin navigating their ‘new world’
The first phase of Alberta’s COVID -19 reopening sees restaurants, comedy clubs and farmers markets welcome guests with open arms.
Of course, those arms are open at a safe distance and establishments are operating with limited capacity, adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Craft Beer Market on Rice Howard Way is resuming dinein service May 18, more than two months after the pandemic forced patrons off the floor.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week with adjusted hours of operation.
“We are looking forward to bringing back our team members and welcoming guests,” says PJ L’heureux, president and founder of Craft Beer.
“We understand that there is a lot of uncertainty for people as we navigate the new normal and we are here whenever people are ready to dine out again.”
The restaurant’s size — 15,000 square feet inside with a 2,500 square-foot rooftop patio — allows ample space for guests to dine while maintaining physical distancing.
“We are fortunate to have a large restaurant that is comparable in size to some grocery stores,” says L’heureux. “That enables us to implement measures to maintain safe distances between guests while they are dining.”
Following the province’s new health and safety protocols, Craft Beer Market will operate at 50-per-cent capacity and offer seating at every other table, maintaining separation of at least two metres between guests.
Reducing customer contact also factors into the reopening, allowing guests to order via a mobile app and offering contactless payment options.
Enhanced cleanliness measures are in place, with hand sanitizers available at each table, foot ‘handles’ for bathroom doors, and single-use menus.
“The health and safety of our guests and team is our No. 1 priority and is at the forefront of every decision we make,” says L’heureux.
“We want to thank our loyal guests for their support and trust in us while we adjust to the new demands our industry faces.”
Curbside pickup and delivery will continue to be offered and will now include the full food and beer menu.
Pickup is available to order through craftbeermarket.ca/edmonton and delivery is available through the Craft website and Doordash.
LIVE LAUGHTER RETURNS
Spotlight Cabaret is one of the few Edmonton venues offering live comedy and music under a safety-enhanced ceiling.
The entertainment venue on Whyte Avenue and 104 Street reopened on May 14 with an Atomic Improv show starring Donovan Workun and Chris Borger.
Brittany Graling was at the piano for an all-request party on Friday while Lars Callieou continues to host comedy shows Saturday, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Seating is limited to 35 patrons for each performance, with physical distancing measures in place to ensure health and safety.
Rick Bronson’s Comic Strip in
West Edmonton Mall is also offering face-to-face laughter, with Toronto-based comedian Trixx — noted for appearances at the Just For Laughs and New York Comedy Festivals — performing nightly from May 14 through May 17.
The comedy club has reduced capacity to 25 per cent, limiting tables to six per party and requesting that guests attend with members of their household to help reduce risk.
In addition, customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. The box office will not be accepting cash payments. And, as always, heckling is discouraged. Not only because patrons will be more easily identifiable in limited capacity, but also because it’s terribly gauche. The Comic Strip has filled out its lineup through the end of the month, with Kelly Taylor appearing May 21-24, a special Drive-in Comedy Night slated for May 26 featuring Brett Forte, and Forte headlining May 27-31.
FARM FRESH ON 124 STREET
While farmers markets haven’t seen the same level of scrutiny as enclosed spaces, the 124 Grand Market is proceeding with its regular bi-weekly schedule with safety regulations in place.
Located on 108 Avenue between 122 and 124 Street, the market will be open Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. until Oct. 8. Sunday afternoons will see the market shift to 102 Avenue between 123 and 124 Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 8 to Sept. 27.
“In this new world we are living in, we had to start from square one,” says 124 Grand Market founder Kirsta Franke.
“So much has changed over the past seven weeks, it has been a steep learning curve for market organizers across the province.”
Market organizers have worked with the Westmount and Oliver communities, Alberta Health Services and the City of Edmonton to update a health and safety plan to keep vendors, patrons and staff safe.
“We have been working hard with stakeholders right from the beginning to ensure we operate the market in some capacity,” says Franke.
“Our vendors rely on markets as their only platform for selling and distributing their products.
“They are an essential part of our food supply chain and local economy.”
New safety regulations include a minimum of two metres between vendors and patrons, limited market capacity, and social distancing enforced with queues and line management. Anyone interested in attending can visit 124grandmarket.com for more information on updated policies and vendors.