Some businesses to reopen this weekend, others not so fast
A sampling of Rappahannock County businesses finds several that will reopen this weekend under relaxed state COVID-19 guidelines — the first phase of the governor’s economic jumpstart plan — while others aren’t in any hurry.
“Yes, Quievremont will be open this weekend under Phase 1, with limited outdoor seating,” says vintner John Guevremont of the Gid Brown Hollow winery. “Even on a limited basis, opening the businesses can not start soon enough.”
“Slow and low on restart for us. Not this weekend,” relayed Scott Elliff of DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, advising this reporter: “Think about your health.”
Restaurants and distilleries, some that have remained open for carryout and delivery only during the COVID-19 pandemic, will not be permitted to open for “indoor” dining or seating under Phase 1 of Governor Ralph Northam’s
proposal, which will go into e ect Friday, May 15. However, food and beverage establishments that o er “outdoor seating” permits are now able to welcome guests at 50 percent capacity.
Nonessential retail businesses, closed since March 24, will similarly be permitted to reopen this Friday, albeit at 50 percent capacity. Ditto for places of worship, many having resorted to online and drive-in services during the ongoing crisis. Churches will now be able to welcome congregations back into the pews at 50 percent capacity.
Fitness and exercise facilities still have to remain closed but can now hold outdoor activities. Beauty salons, barber shops and massage parlors, on the other hand, may reopen for indoor services, albeit by appointment only and with mandatory face coverings for providers and customers.
Despite the ability to open her doors, Cara Cutro, of Sperryville’s Abracadabra Massage & Wellness and The Tattooed Herbalist, will delay reopening until next month.
“Planning to reopen June 10, if all goes smoothly in that direction,” she told us.
Stonewall Abbey Wellness in Sperryville must remain closed for at least several more weeks.
“We are hosting outdoor classes on the Schoolhouse lawn,” said co-owner Gordon Wicks. “All of our classes are limited to eight participants, maintaining strict 10 feet apart . . . We also offer personal training in tness, qigong, yoga and martial arts online through Facetime & Zoom. As well as home workout and tness strategizing . . .
“We have emailed the governor, asking for more speci c instructions for personal training, limited gym access, group classes, etc., for the coming opening phases. We have also asked the governor to take into consideration the difference in boutique tness facilities and big box gyms,” Wicks explained.
“We will only be comfortable with a complete reopening when all of the data shows that the number of new cases in Rappahannock have ceased,” he added.
The Blue Door Kitchen and Inn in Flint Hill, which has o ered curbside take-out service throughout the pandemic, is in no rush to reopen its outdoor seating area.
“Andrea [Pace] and I made the decision not to open the patio this weekend and continue doing the carryout for this week,” said co-owner Reem Arbid. “We will reassess after the weekend. We want to still be cautious considering the cases [of coronavirus] are still rising in our county and state.
“We have been very careful with our sta and serving the carryout the last 7 to 8 weeks, we are not ready to jump right in quite yet,” Arbid noted. “It takes a lot more to open the restaurant — inside or outside — to customers during these times. We want to be safe for ourselves, our sta , and especially our customers.”
Debbie Donehey of nearby Gri n Tavern in Flint Hill, while alert for any additional guidance from Richmond, told us: “The plan, unless something changes before Friday, is that the porch, patio and a couple of picnic tables out back will be available, weather permitting.
“Our goal is 30-35 people max, so very controlled,” Donehey said. “I’m working on a document to post on social media and to send to regulars so they know what the ‘rules’ are.”
Jordan Miller of Headmaster’s Pub in Sperryville is also monitoring updates from the governor, but as for simply reopening the establishment’s outdoor deck: “We’re not in any hurry.
That said, the pub’s adjacent Schoolhouse Nine Golf Course has proven quite popular during the pandemic with golfers carefully keeping their distances while hitting the links for exercise and fresh air.
Just across the Thornton River Bridge, Craig Batchelor of Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen said: “We’re considering opening for take-out only at some point soon, but even that is i y.”
Batchelor’s family-owned Sperryville Corner Store, meanwhile, has remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, providing much needed staples for countless county residents.
Before & After cafe in Sperryville opened back up in recent days for online ordering only with a new service window, said proprietor Kerry Sutten. “Full drink and food menu.”
Positive news as well from restaurateur Eric Tollefson: “Our plan is to reopen Sperryville Trading Cafe and Market on Friday, May 15,” he said, offering front porch seating.
Just across Route 211, O the Grid has also remained open for curbside take-out, although now under the governor’s guidance patrons could sit at the restaurant’s outdoor tables.
“We are allowed to have no more than 10 folks at a time [and] we do have outside seating to accommodate 10 people at a time,” said Bill Gadino of Gadino Cellars in Washington. “I don't envision more than that for a while, as folks will need to know that we can be open.”
Gadino assures wine drinkers that “we follow all the guidelines on social distancing, masks, cleaning, etc.”
Said Allan Delmare of Rappahannock Cellars in Huntly: “Our plans for this weekend: Opening 12-6 p.m. for bottle/glass sales, outdoors only, properly socially distanced at 50 percent capacity; still encouraging curbside pickup and free shipping promotions.”
Little Washington Winery in Washington will also open up with outdoor seating this weekend — “by reservation, so we can control the numbers,” explained the winery’s Carl Henrickson.
Gray Ghost Winery in Amissville will also open “o ering wine by the bottle or glass,” said Gray Ghost’s Amy Payette.
“We’re going to wait until the Inn [at Little Washington] opens,” decided Robert Ballard of R.H. Ballard Shop & Gallery in the town of Washington, which throughout the pandemic has been donating 5 percent of its shipping order sales to the Rappahannock Food Pantry.
That said, no announcement to the hometown newspaper from the Inn, the county’s largest private employer, on its future plans once the commonwealth moves into subsequent phases of reopening the economy.