Pandemic-weary patrons pack the patios
Social distancing measures adapted to dining out experience
The announcement could not have been more timely.
Warm weather, people fed up with being cooped up and Father’s Day weekend was the perfect combination for restaurants being allowed to open as Hamilton moved to Stage 2 of the pandemic recovery.
Allyson Sahadeo, general manager of The Works on Upper James, said “For us this couldn’t have come at a better time. Father’s Day is busiest day of the year for us.”
The restaurant had been doing takeout during the pandemic shutdown, but started with a soft opening Friday and was much busier on Saturday.
Jordan Geertsma, owner of the Snooty Fox in Westdale, was busy Sunday morning sanitizing tables and setting up umbrellas ahead of the noon opening.
“It’s been crazy. We’ve been super busy,” he said. He had 20 tables provided by the local BIA set up on 13 parking spots in front of his restaurant. “We got approval (for the parking closures) Friday at 4:30 and we were open by 6 p.m.” “People just couldn’t wait to get out.” “You should have seen me,” he said. “When the announcement came Monday about the patio openings I was at home by myself jumping in the air and pumping my fist I was so excited.”
To avoid physical contact, customers can scan a QR code for the menu and are invited to take their orders directly from the server’s tray.
Across the street from the Snooty Fox, restaurants Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery, Nannaa Persian Eatery and Mikel
Coffee also had tables provided by the Westdale Village BIA.
King William is closed daily now from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. between
James and Hughson streets for the King William Dining District. Restaurants The French, Berkeley North, The Mule and HAMBRGR have designated tables, others are available for eating carry-out from other area restaurants.
The permit to close the road and the tables was provided by the Downtown BIA, and Kerry Javi, executive director, and her staff were on hand Sunday sanitizing tables and moving umbrellas about to provide shade.
The permit for the road closure runs until Sept. 30, with restaurants serving between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. The BIA handles cleanup and storage.