Common sense way to open restaurants
As small-business operators, we are constantly faced with unanticipated challenges to our businesses. We are uniquely blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit that allows us to come up with unique solutions that fit the situation but are different in every circumstance. We all understand the situation, but we need our state leader to recognize something we take for granted: “One size doesn’t fit all.” Let’s use common sense and come up with lots of unique ideas for New Mexico, and particularly rural New Mexico, that might not work in other parts of our nation.
With that in mind, we came up with an idea to give our customers a different dining experience while still promoting social distancing policies.
I own KBOBS Steakhouse in Clovis. We have 52 employees.
I have requested permission from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to set up 30 picnic tables in our 2-acre parking lot to be used for carry-out food orders as follows: 1. Each table would have a number on it. 2. Tables would be a minimum of 30 feet apart. 3. Customers would order food and pay online. 4. When customers arrive, they would text us their table number.
5. Our servers would deliver food to their table while customers remained in vehicle.
6. Servers, wearing face masks and gloves, would set their order on the table and depart.
7. Customer would then exit vehicle and pick up order to either take home, eat in car, or eat at table.
8. Customer and employees would have no direct contact.
9. When customers leave, our employees would disinfect table to prepare for next guest.
10. All employees will be health-checked daily and not allowed to remain if they have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Our intent is to be able to serve our guests without the risk of a guest transmitting COVID-19 to one of our employees. Currently, at drive-up windows and all carry-outs, guests and employees are closer than 6 feet to pay and pick up orders.
I don’t know if our customers will respond, but if they do, I think more restaurants would consider this approach and further advance NM’s policies on social distancing . ...
The Governor’s Office turned down my request with no consideration.
In the interest of our employees’ safety, we have chosen not to put our employees at risk by having personal contact with our customers, therefore, we are currently remaining closed.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of N.M.’s economy, if we don’t quickly and prudently start reopening these businesses, we will risk the collapse of our entire economy.