Patio operators keep sunny outlook on the weather
Metro eateries say COVID-19 restrictions loom larger for them than rain clouds
Rain and clouds aren’t a major cause for concern for staff at patio-focused Metro Vancouver restaurants who are already working in strict COVID-19 conditions.
After a particularly rainy June kept customers off patios across the region, the early days of July haven’t looked much better.
Sunday was a mainly sunny, mild day in Vancouver, but Environment Canada’s forecast says today and Tuesday both have a 30 per cent chance of showers.
Restaurant workers said they have already grown accustomed to seeing fewer customers given the novel coronavirus pandemic. Businesses have fewer available seats because of physical distancing requirements and some customers have been reluctant to dine out.
A day or two with an empty patio doesn’t make too big of a difference, the workers said.
Leisa Popove, a longtime server at the Gillnetter Pub in Port Coquitlam, said maintaining COVID-19 safety measures has had a much bigger impact on business than weather. Popove said it has been challenging getting used to wearing personal protective equipment. There are fewer tables because of the two-metre physical distancing requirement.
But the Gillnetter has opened some patio space it doesn’t normally use, which has given people more room to sit outside — even on days it is raining, she said.
“Hopefully, it will get sunny (soon) ... like it normally does, and we’ll have more people outside,” Popove said.
Barb Hawkins, a manager at the John B. Pub in Coquitlam, said recent inclement weather hasn’t been a problem for the business.
The large patio at the popular tap house regularly finds itself on local best-of lists, drawing customers with its “cosy backyard” feel, featuring a pond, flowers and heat lamps, Hawkins said.
But the pub’s inside seating — reduced because of COVID-19 rules — has still kept it busy enough to have customers lining up for a seat on weekends.
While staff look forward to sunny days, they aren’t too worried about a little rain, Hawkins said.
“We can’t really control it,” she said. “It hasn’t really affected us, so we’re happy to be busy and customers are happy to be in here. We’re really fortunate.”
Meantime, the City of Vancouver has issued more than 180 temporary patio permits under a program meant to support food and liquor businesses as they recover during the pandemic.
The free permits are valid until Oct. 31 and allow restaurants and bars to expand their indoor seating outside while maintaining physical-distancing requirements.