‘Everybody is itching to get out’
Patio season returns to Niagara
Patio season officially kicked off Friday in Niagara as the region enters Stage 2 of the provincial government’s COVID-19 reopening plan.
Bars and restaurants in all 12 municipalities have started welcoming customers back to their local watering holes.
Many other parts of the province were given the OK to start serving on patios last Friday, but Niagara was not included on that list until Premier Doug Ford said Monday that bars, along with nail and hair salons, could start operating again locally yesterday.
Greg Poisson, owner of Canalside in Port Colborne, had 16 tables available for patrons starting Friday. Ten are in front of his West Street restaurant, and another six have been placed on the east side of the road along the Welland Canal — a result of the local government’s patio expansion program that allows restaurateurs to move onto parking lots and nearby areas where feasible.
“The city has been very good in terms of helping us and understanding our needs,” he said about an hour after opening his restaurant to eat-in customers for the first time in three-anda-half months.
“Educating customers is going to be the biggest challenge with it,” he said.
Staff are wearing personal protective equipment, constant sanitization is a focus, and only one person per table is allowed to use the washroom at a time.
He’s also asking that people don’t linger and stay for longer than two hours when the restaurant is noticeably busy.
Direction from the province is a concern.
“There hasn’t been a lot of guidelines from the Ontario government,” said Poisson, adding that restaurant owners face enforcing their own interpretations of the rules.
Bernice Weaver was sitting with her husband Allan at an outdoor table at Canalside.
“More freedom,” she quipped about the best part of the eased restrictions, adding that “most people are pretty respectful” when asked about any fear she may have about the virus spreading at eateries.
Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual in Welland is also taking advantage of a patio expansion program.
About a dozen tables have been set up in the area normally used during warm weather, along with five tables arranged in the parking lot of the restaurant near Seaway Mall on Niagara Street.
Co-manager Drew Gowan said the restaurant would be “overstaffed” when they officially reopened at 4 p.m. Friday, explaining that a total of 10 staff will be overseeing the operation.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.
Co-manager Kelley-ann Broderick said reservations are recommended and that several had been made for Friday night.
“Everybody is just itching to get out,” said Broderick.
Katie White was delighted to enjoy the patio at Brimstone Brewing Company in downtown Ridgeway at about 2 p.m.
“It’s fantastic to be out of the house, to be able to come out and enjoy a local beer,” she said.
David Prentice, owner of the Kilt and Clover in Port Dalhousie, said Friday afternoon that customers were being patient with the rules, and that they may have to wait to be seated.
“One thing this has done, is people have slowed down. I’ve been in the restaurant business for 30 years, so everyone seems a little more chill,” he said, noting that customers are being filtered through a separate entrance and exit.
Bonnie Howlett said being able to enjoy a table at the local establishment gives her promise.
“It almost feels like there is a sense of normalcy in being out.
It feels like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and life will get back to normal,” said the Port Dalhousie resident at the Kilt and Clover.
At an event in Niagara Falls that welcomed tourism minister Lisa Macleod Friday, Mayor Jim Diodati said outdoor dining is something people should feel safe taking part in.
“This is going to be the summer of the patio,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.