Local restaurant owner: CT rule change not enough to help
NORWALK — While restaurants have been given the green light to fully reopen later this month, Matt Bacco says his North Main Street establishment will remain at half capacity.
Bacco, one of the owners of The Blind Rhino, said he can only operate at 50 percent capacity because of the 6-foot buffer required between tables.
The alternative — installing barriers so the tables or booths can be placed closer together — is not financially feasible, he said.
“It doesn’t work,” Bacco said of the state’s COVID restrictions being lifted. “We just pulled out every other table and stuffed it in the basement and put barriers up behind alternate tables. I don’t want to spend more money on acrylic, but maybe we should get on board and do it.”
Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday announced the state will lift all capacity restrictions on restaurants and other businesses starting March 19.
However, mask wearing and social distancing will still be required. At restaurants, seating will still be
limited to eight people per table and closing time remains 11 p.m.
The curfew is another obstacle for Bacco, whose restaurant and sports bar would normally be open into the early-morning hours.
“I don’t understand the curfew,” Bacco said. “I don’t think it’s necessary to say, ‘Nothing good happens after 11 o’clock.’ I make enough money to pay my rent and stay open in Norwalk, that’s what happens after 11.”
As a more takeout and food-oriented establishment, Pontos Taverna on Isaac Street has found ways to thrive during the pandemic, manager Teddy Kiriakidis said.
Pontos has not reopened its dining room since the start of the pandemic and continues to only offer takeout.
A family-owned restaurant, Pontos laid off all but two staff members, and the rest of the employees are family members who work for free, Kiriakidis said.
It’s allowed the restaurant to stay afloat during the pandemic, Kiriakidis said.
For this reason, the family has not reopened the dining room, since it would require rehiring serving staff. But with the capacity restrictions being lifted, it’s something the owners will consider, Kiriakidis said.
“When the first lockdown happened, we had to lay everybody off,” Kiriakidis said. “This is familyowned, so we just had family working for free, and after a couple months, things started to pick up once customers realized we were open.”
Even though he says lifting the restrictions will not do much for his business, Bacco says it’s at least a positive sign about the pandemic.
“It’s moving in right direction,” he said, “and psychologically, it’s good for people to see easements.”