Restaurants in the Battlefords have received a steady flow of support from the community so far in phase three of the provincial reopening. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Hospitality off and running

Restaurateurs enjoy steady flow of customers first week back

Jun 15, 2020 | 6:00 PM

Heading into the summer, restaurateurs in the Battlefords are feeling optimistic a week after reopening.

As part of eased restrictions from phase three of the province’s reopening plan, several restaurants were near or at the new 50 per cent capacity last week.

Laszlo Horvath, owner of the Boston Pizza location in North Battleford, said the restaurant was close to filling the available seating most days over the last week.

“Obviously a full restaurant is always better, but at this point we’re just happy with what we are able to do and I think it’s worthwhile for us and the community,” Horvath said.

With the cap on the number of customers in one sitting, some patrons are eating out during less typical meal times, Horvath said. As a result, the lunch and supper rushes have become slightly extended.

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“People understand that there’s going to be congestion at certain times,” he said. “So, they’re trying to come support us at different times and taking the load off of us.”

Horvath and several other restaurant owners told battlefordsNOW they’ve had steady traffic with takeout and delivery meals during the pandemic.

“We’ve had a great response from the community so far,” he said. “We’re at a point now where we almost have to increase some of our staff levels just to accommodate [customers], which is a great problem to have.”

If that continues, Horvath said he’ll continue to bring back workers, while they keep adjusting to a new way of operating.

“We’ve got to adapt and make the best of the situation,” he said.

Doris Binette, general manager of Tropical Inn, said business picked up in both room bookings and customers dining at Smitty’s and Bennigan’s on June 12. However, there was a slight cooling after a hectic first day.

“I think people were anxious to get out, so at first we were very busy,” she said. “Then after that, they were a little cautious. People are still doing lots of takeout though.”

Due to limits on travel, Binette said there’s a chance business continues to trend upward as restrictions are slowly lifted.

“Summer is usually slower, because everyone is gone,” she said. “But things might be different now.”

Restaurant staff members are now adjusting to the new pace of procedures as well as mask wearing. Binette said they have encountered any issues yet, as they are primarily just excited to get back to work.

“They don’t have a problem wearing them. It’s in everybody’s best interest,” she said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports