‘It’s one of my favourite things’
Lawrencetown’s Shakes on Main diner reopens after extended pause
Things are finally shakin’ again at Shakes on Main.
The popular Lawrencetown eatery reopened recently after being closed since March of last year due to COVID-19 health restrictions.
Manager Odessa Taylor, who is also a vocational instructor, said the news of the closure was incredibly disappointing for three diner staff placed there to receive vocational and life skills training by Carleton Roads Industries Association. The non-profit, charitable adult service centre is also located in Lawrencetown.
“It was pretty sad. We were only opened for six months,” Taylor said. “The program participants were really upset. They would message me and text me asking when they would be able to come back to work. They were so eager to come back to work.”
News of the Feb. 3 reopening has been well received by the staff and the regular diners.
“We are excited to see the community again,” she said. “The participants are crazy happy to be back to work.”
Terri Ann Townsend is gaining work experience by greeting diners as a hostess and helping with waitressing duties.
Townsend started working at Shakes on Main when the diner first opened in 2019.
She said she enjoys going to work every day.
“I like working here because of the people I have met,” Townsend said. “I like the customers. They are pretty friendly.”
Zack Keddy hopes the work skills and experience as a dishwasher at the diner will help him find employment in the future.
“Hopefully, it helps me get a job out in the community.
That’s my goal,” Keddy said. “We have a good group of people here. It’s fun every day. You are constantly busy, which is nice. It’s one of my favourite things.”
Taylor said more than 50 clients participate in several programs at Carleton Road Industries placement sites, including a post office, woodworking shop, gas bar, bottle