TAMPA, Fla. — When restaurants welcome dine-in customers back to their businesses on Monday, during phase one of the state’s reopening, for many, it will be a tangible sign of life returning to normal.
However, there will be limitations and strict guidelines on how restaurants can operate, leaving some smaller restaurants to struggle.
According to the plan Governor Ron DeSantis released Wednesday, restaurants must not go above a 25 percent maximum capacity. Social distancing will also apply to outdoor seating, where there must be six feet of space between tables.
“When we heard that it was at a 25 percent capacity, that was hard to hear,” Jamaris Glenn, co-owner of 7th + Grove said. “But we understand the safety part.”
7th + Grove is a popular restaurant and bar in Ybor City, but it’s only been around for less than a year. Glenn said that makes the business ineligible for some local coronavirus relief funding. He said he also has not yet received federal funding through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
All of these factors combined, along with overhead costs, makes it harder to open at a reduced capacity.
“We want to make sure that we have the funds to take on more staff because we have not received our PPP funding yet,” he said. “We are probably looking at a two-week delay.”
Peter Veytia III of Red Mesa Group said he’s in a similar situation.
“For each restaurant group it’s different, and for us, we need to see probably 75 percent capacity to a hundred,” Veytia said. “I’d like to have a guarantee that it's safe...I can weather this storm for another couple of weeks. Maybe even a month or two, and then open full capacity. I think that's the best option...”
He said the rush to welcome customers in-house might be premature because reopening is a process that takes time.
“To get all of those pieces in motion, it takes a little bit more than just putting that [reopening] announcement out there,” Veytia said.
While some smaller restaurants are hesitant to immediately reopen, many of the larger chains aren't waiting.
Bloomin' Brands, which operates Bonefish, Carrabba's and Outback, will open Monday with 25 percent seating. A spokesperson said, they've rearranged seating and recertified food handlers as an extra precaution. There will also be frequent sanitizing, disposable menus, face coverings and gloves for all workers.
Emerald Morrow is a reporter with 10News WTSP. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also email her at emorrow@wtsp.com.
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