Area restaurants are now eerily quiet in light of the province’s order closing Ontario’s eating establishments and bars.
At Phil’s Family Restaurant in Penetanguishene, chairs remain stacked on tables as staff wait at the ready for takeout orders.
“We’re stressed to the max,” said Phil Karpathios, who operates the Main Street restaurant along with Phil’s Casual Dining in Midland.
“It’s a big hit and hard for restaurants because we have small margins.”
While both restaurants have always featured a takeout menu, they’re also now offering delivery.
“We don’t know where this is going to head to,” Karpathios said. “The end result is there will be a lot of sacrifice. I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I guess we’ve got to pray...now is the time to pray to whomever your god is.”
Citing “a danger of major proportions,” Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in Ontario Tuesday, mandating that all bars, restaurants and other assorted operations close as the province tries to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are facing an unprecedented time in our history,” Ford said of the wide-ranging move that took effect immediately and lasts until month’s end while also prohibiting organized public events of more than 50 people and includes parades, special events and services in places of worship.
Over at Cellerman’s Ale House, the mood was noticeably subdued considering Ford’s announcement coincided with St. Patrick’s Day.
“This is not a good day,” said Nicole Lamers, who has operated the King Street pub for 24 years with her husband Dan. “This is our busiest day of the year.”
Lamers said that while she has her own financial picture to worry about, she’s also concerned for the 10 full- and part-time staff she employs since layoffs are inevitable.
“We’re going to run on a skeletal staff,” she said, adding patrons will still be able to order their favourites dishes, including half-price wings on Tuesdays, through takeout and hopes to have a St. Patrick’s Day party when they eventually reopen.
“There’s been no conversation about how they’re (the government) going to help the self-employed and small businesses. We still have bills to pay. This is just a hot-ass mess.”
Karpathios said he’s doing his best to try to keep staff busy and employed during the setback.
“We’ve been working diligently in the past few days,” he said, adding they’re also hoping the government offers some sort of compensation to business owners affected by the mass closures since insurance won’t cover their losses.
“Nobody knows what’s going to happen. We’re hoping locals will support us. Everyone’s saying we’re all in this together, but now is the time to take actions, not just words. Be safe and be strong.”
